Glutamate Signalling in the Skin

Abstract

Many cellular elements of the skin appear to involve glutamate for signalling. This has been most extensively studied in nociceptive nerve endings (supplied by C and Aδ fibres). Both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors are involved in inflammation, and modulate hyperalgesia and allodynia. Less work has been on low threshold mechanoreceptors in the skin (supplied by Aβ fibres), although there is clear evidence for a modulatory role here too. There is evidence that other structural cellular elements, such as keratinocytes use glutamate for signaling, and may be important for skin growth and wound healing. Finally, excessive release of glutamate and/or aberrant expression of metabotropic glutamate receptors may be contributory factors in the development of skin melanomas. There appears to be significant clinical potential in the development of topically applied glutamate receptor active compounds to treat a range of different skin disorders.