Cathepsin S acts via protease-activated receptor 2 to activate sensory neurons and induce itch-like behaviour

•Intradermal injection of cathepsin S induces scratching behaviour in mice.•Cathepsin S inhibitors prevent cathepsin S-induced itch.•Cathepsin S acts as a pruritogen via protease-activated receptor 2(PAR2) in TRPV1-expressing neurons.•Cathepsin S-induced itch can be used as translational model and for testing new indications for cathepsin S inhibitors.