Mast cells, cortistatin, and its receptor, MRGPRX2, are linked to the pathogenesis of chronic prurigo.

BACKGROUND

Chronic prurigo (CPG) is characterized by intensive itch and interactions among nerves, neuropeptides, and mast cells (MCs). The role of some neuropeptides such as cortistatin (CST) and its receptor, Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2), in CPG remains poorly investigated.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated first whether CST activates human skin MCs, and second whether CST and MRGPRX2 are expressed in the skin of CPG patients, and by which cells.

METHODS

Skin prick tests and microdialysis with CST were performed in 6 and 1 healthy volunteers, respectively. Degranulation of human skin MCs was assessed using β-hexosaminidase and histamine release assays. Skin samples from 10 patients with CPG and 10 control subjects were stained for CST, MCs, and MRGPRX2 (protein and mRNA) using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and/or in situ hybridization. Flow cytometry was used to assess CST in human skin MCs. MRGPRX2 levels were measured in serum by ELISA.

RESULTS

CST induced concentration-dependent degranulation of human skin MCs in vivo and ex vivo. Skin lesions of CPG patients exhibited markedly higher numbers of CST-expressing cells, CST-expressing MCs, MRGPRX2-expressing cells, and MRGPRX2 mRNA-expressing cells than nonlesional skin. MCs were the main MRGPRX2 mRNA-expressing cells in the lesions of most CPG patients (70%). Stimulation of human skin MCs with anti-IgE led to a release of CST. The number of MRGPRX2-expressing cells correlated with disease severity (r = 0.649, P = .04). MRGPRX2 serum levels in CPG patients correlated with disease severity (r = 0.704, P = .023) and quality-of-life impairment (r = 0.687, P = .028).

CONCLUSIONS

CST and MRGPRX2 may contribute to the pathogenesis of CPG and should be evaluated in further studies as potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets.