Fig. 3

The murine STING agonist DMXAA reduces dry skin-induce chronic itch but not pruritogens-induced acute itch in mice. A Experimental design to test the anti-pruritus effect of DMXAA in the mouse model of intradermal (i.d.) injections of pruritogens (compound 48/80 and CQ)-induced acute pruritus. B and C DMXAA does not affect pruritogens-induced scratching behaviors. n = 8 mice/group. D Experimental design to test the anti-pruritus effect of DMXAA on AEW-induced chronic pruritus in dry skin model. E pre-treatment with DMXAA reduces AEW-induced scratching behaviors. n = 8 mice/group. F Single application of DMXAA on days 8 after AEW exposure reduced the established pruritus. n = 8 mice/group. G–K Western blot showed that two injections of DMXAA (i.p., 20 mg/kg) daily from day 1 to 2 after AEW exposure affect spinal TBK1 and IRF3 phosphorylation (but not expression) on day 3 after AEW intervention. n = 6 mice/group. Data are expressed as mean ± SD and analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test (B, C, H–K), unpaired two-tailed t test (F), and two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test (E). n.s., not significant