Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Channels in Airway Toxicity and Disease: An Update

Cells. 2022 Sep 17;11(18):2907. doi: 10.3390/cells11182907.

Abstract

Our respiratory system is exposed to toxicants and pathogens from both sides: the airways and the vasculature. While tracheal, bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells form a natural barrier in the airways, endothelial cells protect the lung from perfused toxic compounds, particulate matter and invading microorganism in the vascular system. Damages induce inflammation by our immune response and wound healing by (myo)fibroblast proliferation. Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily of ion channel are expressed in many cells of the respiratory tract and serve multiple functions in physiology and pathophysiology. TRP expression patterns in non-neuronal cells with a focus on TRPA1, TRPC6, TRPM2, TRPM5, TRPM7, TRPV2, TRPV4 and TRPV6 channels are presented, and their roles in barrier function, immune regulation and phagocytosis are summarized. Moreover, TRP channels as future pharmacological targets in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic and pulmonary fibrosis as well as lung edema are discussed.

Keywords: TRPA1; TRPC6; TRPM2; TRPM5; TRPV2; TRPV4; alveoli; bronchi; lung; pulmonary vasculature.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Particulate Matter
  • TRPC6 Cation Channel / metabolism
  • TRPM Cation Channels* / metabolism
  • TRPV Cation Channels / metabolism
  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels* / metabolism

Substances

  • Particulate Matter
  • TRPC6 Cation Channel
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • TRPV Cation Channels
  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels

Grants and funding

Research in the authors’ laboratory is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (TRR152, project 16, GRK 2338, project 04) and the German Center for Lung Research (DZL).