Better than being aPARt: S. aureus itches to get close to sensory neurons

In a recent issue of Cell, Deng et al. show that S. aureus serine protease V8 triggers itch, independent of inflammation, by activating sensory neurons through PAR1. This study presents mechanistic insights into pruritogenic bacteria and their interactions with sensory neurons while providing a possible approach for treating itch-related diseases. In a recent issue of Cell, Deng et al. show that S. aureus serine protease V8 triggers itch, independent of inflammation, by activating sensory neurons through PAR1. This study presents mechanistic insights into pruritogenic bacteria and their interactions with sensory neurons while providing a possible approach for treating itch-related diseases. S. aureus drives itch and scratch-induced skin damage through a V8 protease-PAR1 axisDeng et al.CellNovember 22, 2023In BriefItch evokes a desire to scratch, but the link between microbes and itch was unclear. Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterial pathogen, secretes a protease V8 that activates PAR1 expressed on neurons to drive itch and skin damage. Full-Text PDF