“Consistently, ablation of itch‐specific neurons that express gastrin‐releasing peptide receptor in the spinal cord also abolished itch‐induced Conditioned Place Aversion (CPA), confirming that itch‐induced CPA is dependent on the spinal itch circuit.”
Mice were given a single intrathecal injection (400 ng/5 μl each) of Bombesin-SAP (Cat. #IT-40) or Control Blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21).
Also see:
Akiyama T, Nguyen T, Curtis E, Nishida K, Devireddy J, Delahanty J, Carstens MI, Carstens E. (2015) A central role for spinal dorsal horn neurons that express neurokinin-1 receptors in chronic itch. Pain 156(7):1240-1246. (Targeting Trends)
Bourane S, Duan B, Koch SC, Dalet A, Britz O, Garcia-Campmany L, Kim E, Cheng L, Ghosh A, Ma Q, Goulding M. (2015) Gate Control of Mechanical Itch By a Subpopulation of Spinal Cord Interneurons. Science 350(6260):550-54. PMID: 26516282 (Targeting Trends)
Akiyama T, Tominaga M, Takamori K, Carstens MI, Carstens E. (2014) Role of spinal bombesin-responsive neurons in nonhistaminergic itch. J Neurophysiol 112(9):2283-2289. (Targeting Trends)
Zhao ZQ, Wan L, Liu XY, Huo FQ, Li H, Barry DM, Krieger S, Kim S, Liu ZC, Xu J, Rogers BE, Li YQ, Chen ZF. (2014) Cross-Inhibition of NMBR and GRPR Signaling Maintains Normal Histaminergic Itch Transmission. J Neurosci 34(37):12402-12414. (Targeting Trends)
And MORE . . .
(A-B) GRPR expression detected by in situ hybridization was significantly reduced in lamina I of mice treated with Bombesin-SAP compared with mice treated with Blank-SAP. (C-D) NK1 receptor expression detected by immunocytochemistry in the dorsal horn was similar between the two groups. Scale bar: 100 μm.
From: Ablation of GRPR+ Neurons in the Spinal Cord by Bombesin-Saporin Knocks Out Itch Sensation in Mice Without Affecting Pain Circuit. Chen Z-F, Sun Y-G, Zhao Z-Q, Meng X-L, Yin J, Liu X-Y. (2009) Targeting Trends 10(4).
Bombesin-SAP (Cat. #IT-40)
Bombesin is a 14-amino-acid peptide found in frog-skin. The human equivalent, gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) has been detected in itch pathways and plays a role in eating behaviors. GRP regulates numerous functions of the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems, including release of gastrointestinal hormones, smooth muscle cell contraction, and epithelial cell proliferation.
Bombesin-SAP specifically targets GRP receptor-positive cells. All other cells are left untouched. Elimination of cells expressing GPR receptor is useful in studying the role of bombesin in itch and eating behaviors.