Defining the Contribution of Genetic Variants in MRGPRX4 With Pruritus in Paediatric Cholestasis: Evidence From Case–Control Study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Cholestatic pruritus is a debilitating symptom in paediatric liver disease with a complex and poorly understood pathogenesis. Recent evidence implicates the Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X4 (MRGPRX4)—a bile acid receptor expressed in human dorsal root ganglia—as a potential mediator of itch signalling. Although MRGPRX4 harbours multiple single nucleotide variants (SNVs), their role in modulating cholestatic pruritus remains unexplored. Methods: We conducted a case–control study at a single paediatric tertiary care center, enrolling patients with Alagille syndrome, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC), biliary atresia, and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). Cases were defined as individuals with a history of pruritus; controls had no reported pruritus. Clinical data included peak total and fractionated bile acid levels. Targeted sequencing of the MRGPRX4 coding region was performed to evaluate associations between SNVs and pruritus status. Results: Among 36 participants (17 cases, 19 controls), all harboured at least one coding-region SNV in MRGPRX4. Eleven unique SNVs were identified, with recurrent variants at positions p.Phe8Leu, p.Asn25Lys, p.Val47Val, p.Tyr54Cys, p.Ala182Val, and p.Tyr215Tyr. While no single SNV was significantly associated with pruritus overall, the co-occurring Phe8Leu, Asn25Lys, and Tyr215Tyr variants are less frequent in patients with pruritus, and a rare Lys11Glu variant was exclusively found in patients without pruritus. Conclusions: The functional significance of MRGPRX4 variants remains unknown. However, some of the variants, including Phe8Leu, Asn25Lys, and Lys11Glu, may alter receptor activity, potentially modulating susceptibility to cholestatic pruritus. Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to elucidate the mechanistic and clinical relevance of these variants in cholestatic pruritus.