Substance P restores normal skin architecture and reduces epidermal infiltration of sensory nerve fiber in TNCB-induced atopic dermatitis-like lesions in NC/Nga mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, highly pruritic inflammatory skin disease whose onset is often preceded by continuous allergic inflammation [1–3]. Itching is an uncomfortable symptom experienced by patients with AD and also a characteristic feature of chronic dermatitis [4]. Scratching can induce the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, causing chronic dermatitis. Scratching begins a vicious scratching-itching cycle that further weakens the skin barrier. The impaired skin barrier function in AD leads to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and antigen absorption, which contributes to cutaneous hyper-reactivity to environmental triggers.