Ocular itch is a refractory symptom of many ocular conditions, and severely affect the quality of life and productivity. Ocular itch is thought to be mediated by a group of primary sensory neurons residing in the trigeminal ganglia. These neurons detect endogenous itch-inducing mediators (pruritogens) via their peripheral axons in the conjunctiva, and transmit signals to the brainstem via their central axons. However, the molecular identification of these itch-sensing neurons remains elusive. Previously, we identified a novel itch receptor, called MrgprA3. We found that MrgprA3 marks a highly restricted population of primary sensory neurons that mediates acute and chronic itch in the skin. Interestingly, our latest results revealed that MrgprA3-expressing sensory neurons also project to the conjunctiva but not to other mucosal membrane tissues examined. However, the function of MrgprA3-expressing neurons in ocular itch remains to be determined. This proposal aims to uncover the neural mechanisms of ocular itch.
Aim 1 will characterize the innervation pattern and physiological properties of MrgprA3-expressing sensory fibers in the conjunctiva. Using genetic labeling tools, we will perform detailed anatomical analysis of the innervation of MrgprA3-expressing sensory fibers in the conjunctiva during development and in adulthood. In addition, we will test whether MrgprA3-expressing sensory fibers in the conjunctiva can be activated by various pruritogens. These studies will provide important information about the potential role of MrgprA3-expressing sensory fibers in ocular itch.
Aim 2 will investigate whether MrgprA3-expressing neurons mediate acute ocular itch. We will determine whether ablation of MrgprA3-expressing neurons alleviates the ocular itch produced by various pruritogen. Furthermore, we will examine the behavioral consequence of selective activation of MrgprA3-expressing sensory fibers in the conjunctiva. These loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies will firmly establish the role of MrgprA3- expressing neurons in ocular itch, which will, for the frst time, unravel the neural mechanism of ocular itch at the peripheral level.
In Aim 3, we seek to understand the interaction between MrgprA3-expressing sensory fibers and mast cells in allergic conjunctivitis and determine whether MrgprA3-expressing fibers mediate related ocular itch. Based on our preliminary data, we hypothesize that mast cells release endogenous pruritogens upon allergen-induced degranulation and excite MrgprA3-expressing sensory fibers to induce itch. Using a novel imaging tool combined with molecular and behavioral analysis, we will investigate this hypothesis. These studies will reveal the neural basis underlying ocular itch that occurs in perennial and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and will have a significant impact on both the study of ocular itch pathogenesis and the clinical treatment of chronic itch.

Public Health Relevance

Despite the clinical importance, the neural mechanisms underlying ocular itch remain unknown due to a lack of information about principal itch-sensing fibers in the conjunctiva. This proposal will characterize the role of MrgprA3-expressing sensory neurons, a population selectively projecting to the conjunctiva but not the cornea, in both acute and chronic ocular itch. These studies will not only advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms of ocular itch, but will also provide new drug targets for itch management.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01EY024704-01
Application #
8767161
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Mckie, George Ann
Project Start
2014-07-01
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2014-07-01
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Anesthesiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Huang, Cheng-Chiu; Yang, Weishan; Guo, Changxiong et al. (2018) Anatomical and functional dichotomy of ocular itch and pain. Nat Med 24:1268-1276
Espino, Samuel S; Robinson, Samuel D; Safavi-Hemami, Helena et al. (2018) Conopeptides promote itch through human itch receptor hMgprX1. Toxicon 154:28-34
Luo, Jialie; Feng, Jing; Yu, Guang et al. (2018) Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4-expressing macrophages and keratinocytes contribute differentially to allergic and nonallergic chronic itch. J Allergy Clin Immunol 141:608-619.e7
Yang, Jee Myung; Li, Fengxian; Liu, Qin et al. (2017) A novel TRPM8 agonist relieves dry eye discomfort. BMC Ophthalmol 17:101
Dong, Peter; Guo, Changxiong; Huang, Shengxiang et al. (2017) TRPC3 Is Dispensable for ?-Alanine Triggered Acute Itch. Sci Rep 7:13869
Sun, Shuohao; Xu, Qian; Guo, Changxiong et al. (2017) Leaky Gate Model: Intensity-Dependent Coding of Pain and Itch in the Spinal Cord. Neuron 93:840-853.e5
Oetjen, Landon K; Mack, Madison R; Feng, Jing et al. (2017) Sensory Neurons Co-opt Classical Immune Signaling Pathways to Mediate Chronic Itch. Cell 171:217-228.e13
Huang, Cheng-Chiu; Kim, Yu Shin; Olson, William P et al. (2016) A histamine-independent itch pathway is required for allergic ocular itch. J Allergy Clin Immunol 137:1267-1270.e6
Liu, Qin; Dong, Xinzhong (2015) The role of the Mrgpr receptor family in itch. Handb Exp Pharmacol 226:71-88