606 Small molecule blockade of T-type calcium channels by DX416 inhibits itch and reduces corresponding inflammation in acute and chronic itch mouse models

Abstract

The processing of itch signals is regulated by many different ion channels. Among those are T-type calcium channels which are important regulators that contribute to the firing behavior of pruriceptors, or itch sensing neurons. The human genome encodes three different T-type channels: Cav3.1, Cav3.2, Cav3.3. It has been shown recently that pharmacological blockade of T-type calcium channels inhibits acute itch and that immune cells can express Cav 3 channels with roles in effector function. Thus, we hypothesized that local administration of the novel small molecule T-Type calcium channel inhibitor, DX416, would decrease cutaneous itch both through reducing pruriceptors signals triggering itch and decreasing local inflammatory immune responses potentiating itch.