Background: Galanin is a key modulator of nociception, and it is also required for the developmental survival of a subset of C-fibre sensory neurons which are critical to the mediation of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. However, the potential modulatory roles played by galanin, or the galanin-dependent neurons, in pruritoceptive mechanisms underlying the sensation of itch have not been investigated.Findings: Here we report that mice carrying a loss-of-function mutation in the galanin gene (Gal-KO) show no differences in spontaneous behavioural itch responses compared to wild-type (WT) controls. Similarly, the responses to a range of pruritogens are not significantly different between the two genotypes.Conclusions: These results suggest that neither galanin expression, nor the galanin-dependent subpopulation of sensory neurons is required for itch-related behaviours. © 2012 Holmes et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
CITATION STYLE
Holmes, F. E., Vanderplank, P., & Wynick, D. (2012). Galanin-expression and galanin-dependent sensory neurons are not required for itch. Molecular Pain, 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-8069-8-87
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