Journal Club-2022.04.29

The role of PTEN in primary sensory neurons in processing itch and thermal information in mice

Published in :- Cell reports ; I.F.:- 9.423

Abstract

PTEN is known as a tumor suppressor and plays essential roles in brain development. Here, we report that PTEN in primary sensory neurons is involved in processing itch and thermal information in adult mice. Dele- tion of PTEN in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) is achieved in adult Drg11-CreER: PTENflox/flox (PTEN CKO) mice with oral administration of tamoxifen, and CKO mice develop pathological itch and elevated itch responses on exposure to various pruritogens. PTEN deletion leads to ectopic expression of TRPV1 and MrgprA3 in IB4+ non-peptidergic DRG neurons, and the TRPV1 is responsive to capsaicin. Importantly, the elevated itch re- sponses are no longer present in Drg11-CreER: PTENflox/flox: TRPV1flox/flox (PTEN: TRPV1 dCKO) mice. In addi- tion, thermal stimulation is enhanced in PTEN CKO mice but blunted in dCKO mice. PTEN-involved regulation of itch-related gene expression in DRG neurons provides insights for understanding molecular mechanism of itch and thermal sensation at the spinal level.