Abstract
The Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family of selective and non-selective ion channels is well represented throughout the mammalian gastrointestinal track. Several members of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV) subfamily have been identified in contributing to modulation of mobility, secretion and sensitivity of the human intestine. Previous studies have focused on the detection of TRPV mRNA levels in colon tissue of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) whereas little information exists regarding TRPV channel expression in the colonic epithelium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3 and TRPV4 in mucosa epithelial cells of colonic biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in comparison to colonic resections from non-IBD patients (control group). Immunohistochemistry, using specific antibodies and quantitative analyses of TRPV-immunostained epithelial cells, was performed in semi-serial sections of the samples. TRPV1 expression was significantly decreased whereas TRPV4 expression was significantly increased in the colonic epithelium of UC patients compared to patients in the control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference for TRPV2 and TRPV3 expression levels between UC and control specimens was detected (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between TRPV channel expression and the clinical features of the disease (p > 0.05). Further investigation is needed to clarify the role of TRPV channels in human bowel inflammatory response.
Highlights
The importance of the Transient Receptor Potential family (TRP) of selective and non-selective cation channels in cellular homeostasis via regulation of calcium and magnesium ions levels has been well documented [1]
TRPV1 immunostaining was detected in the upper layer of the epithelium in 98% of ulcerative colitis (UC)
Previous studies have focused on quantitation of mRNA levels for Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV) channels in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Summary
The importance of the Transient Receptor Potential family (TRP) of selective and non-selective cation channels in cellular homeostasis via regulation of calcium and magnesium ions levels has been well documented [1]. Members of the TRP family appear to be important for the temperature-dependent formation of normal epithelial tight junctions and in the control of cell proliferation and growth. Besides their well-documented role in the cell surface, TRP channels are reported to be present in intracellular membranes and are implicated in the trafficking of interactive proteins [3]. TRP activation in nerve cells enhances cell excitability leading to increased release of neurotransmitters whereas in peripheral cells (e.g., epithelial cells, immune cells), it results in increased expression of inflammatory mediators [1,2,3]
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