Cav3.2 T-type calcium channels are important mediators of nociceptive signaling, but their roles in the transmission of itch remains poorly understood. Here we report a key involvement of these channels as key modulators of itch/pruritus-related behavior. We compared scratching behavior responses between wild type and Cav3.2 null mice in models of histamine- or chloroquine-induced itch. We also evaluated the effect of the T-type calcium channel blocker DX332 in male and female wild-type mice injected with either histamine or chloroquine. Cav3.2 null mice exhibited decreased scratching responses during both histamine- and chloroquine-induced acute itch. DX332 co-injected with the pruritogens inhibited scratching responses of male and female mice treated with either histamine or chloroquine. Altogether, our data provide strong evidence that Cav3.2 T-type channels exert an important role in modulating histamine-dependent and -independent itch transmission in the primary sensory afferent pathway, and highlight these channels as potential pharmacological targets to treat pruritus.

中文翻译：

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Cav3.2 T型钙通道控制小鼠的急性瘙痒。

Cav3.2 T型钙通道是伤害性信号传导的重要介质，但对它们在瘙痒传播中的作用仍知之甚少。在这里，我们报告了这些通道的主要参与，它们是瘙痒/瘙痒相关行为的关键调节剂。我们在组胺或氯喹诱导的瘙痒模型中比较了野生型和Cav3.2无效小鼠之间的抓挠行为反应。我们还评估了T型钙通道阻滞剂DX332在注射组胺或氯喹的雄性和雌性野生型小鼠中的作用。在组胺和氯喹诱导的急性瘙痒过程中，Cav3.2无效小鼠表现出减少的抓挠反应。与pruritogens共同注射的DX332抑制了用组胺或氯喹处理的雄性和雌性小鼠的抓挠反应。总之，我们的数据提供了有关Cav3的有力证据。