Microarray-based exploration of molecules associated with keloid pruritus

Keloids are frequently accompanied with pruritus. Because traumatic stimuli such as scratching promotes keloid enlargement, alleviating pruritus is an important aspect of keloid management. To investigate the mechanism of keloid pruritus, we conducted a microarray-based comparison of keloid and nonkeloid skin. Relative expression levels of pruritus-associated ligands and receptors were determined, followed by construction of a heat map focused on serotonergic signaling, and finally pathway analysis. Results demonstrate relative up-regulation of various transcripts within keloid lesions, including those encoding a histamine receptor (H1R), a serotonin receptor (5-HT-2A), and an endothelin receptor (ET-A). Serotonergic signaling may be involved in keloid pruritus.