Proteases are signaling molecules that specifically control cellular functions by cleaving
protease-activated receptors (PARs). The four known PARs are members of the large family …

Since first described by Paul Ehrlich in 1878, mast cells have been mostly viewed as
effectors of allergy. It has been only in the past two decades that mast cells have gained …

Substance P (SP) is an undecapeptide present in the CNS and the peripheral nervous
system. SP released from the peripheral nerves exerts its biological and immunological …

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder that is
characterized by abdominal pain and an altered defecation pattern. It affects between 5 and …

The detection and processing of painful stimuli in afferent sensory neurons is critically
dependent on a wide range of different types of voltage-and ligand-gated ion channels …

The neurobiology of itch, which is formally known as pruritus, and its interaction with pain
have been illustrated by the complexity of specific mediators, itch-related neuronal pathways …

Proteinase-activated receptors are a recently described, novel family of seven-
transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors. Rather then being stimulated through ligand …

We examined whether neuronal proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) may be involved in
pruritus of human skin. The endogenous PAR-2 agonist tryptase was increased up to …

Since the initial observations that stimulation of sensory neurons produces vasodilation,
plasma extravasation, and hypersensitivity, much progress has been made in understanding …

Proinflammatory agents trypsin and mast cell tryptase cleave and activate PAR2, which is
expressed on sensory nerves to cause neurogenic inflammation. Transient receptor …