Itch-specific neurons in the ventrolateral orbital cortex selectively modulate the itch processing

作者：Jiang, Shan; Wang, Yi-Song; Zheng, Xiao-Xia; Zhao, Shan-Lan; Wang, Yi; Sun, Lin; Chen, Peng-Hui; Zhou, Yi; Tin, Chung; Li, Hong-Li^*; Sui, Jian-Feng^*; Wu, Guang-Yan^*

来源：Science Advances, 2022, 8(30): eabn4408.

DOI：10.1126/sciadv.abn4408

• GASTRIN-RELEASING-PEPTIDE
• MECHANISMS
• PAIN
• SUBPOPULATION
• INHIBITION
• SEROTONIN
• RESPONSES
• BEHAVIOR
• CIRCUIT
• NUCLEI

Itch is a cutaneous sensation that is critical in driving scratching behavior. The long-standing question of whether there are specific neurons for itch modulation inside the brain remains unanswered. Here, we report a subpopulation of itch-specific neurons in the ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO) that is distinct from the pain-related neurons. Using a Tet-Off cellular labeling system, we showed that local inhibition or activation of these itch-specific neurons in the VLO significantly suppressed or enhanced itch-induced scratching, respectively, whereas the intervention did not significantly affect pain. Conversely, suppression or activation of pain-specific neurons in the VLO significantly affected pain but not itch. Moreover, fiber photometry and immunofluorescence verified that these itch- and pain-specific neurons are distinct in their functional activity and histological location. In addition, the downstream targets of itch- and pain-specific neurons were different. Together, the present study uncovers an important subpopulation of neurons in the VLO that specifically modulates itch processing.