• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2008

Objective: Transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily type 1 (TRPV1), a most specific marker of the nociceptive primary afferent, is expressed in peptidergic and non-peptidergic primary afferents innervating skin and viscera. However, its expression in sensory fibers to skeletal muscle is not well known. In this study, we studied the neurochemical characteristics of TRPV1-positive primary afferents to skeletal muscles. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with total $20{\mu}l$ of 1% fast blue (FB) into the gastrocnemius and erector spinae muscle and animals were perfused 4 days after injection. FB-positive cells were traced in the L4-L5 (for gastrocnemius muscle) and L2-L4 (for erector spinae muscle) dorsal root ganglia. The neurochemical characteristics of the muscle afferents were studied with multiple immunofluorescence with TRPV1, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and $P2X_3$. To identify spinal neurons responding to noxious stimulus to the skeletal muscle, 10% acetic acids were injected into the gastrocnemius and erector spinae muscles and expression of phospho extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) in spinal cords were identified with immunohistochemical method. Results: TRPVl was expressed in about 49% of muscle afferents traced from gastrocnemius and 40% of erector spinae. Sixty-five to 60% of TRPV1-positive muscles afferents also expressed CGRP. In contrast, expression of $P2X_3$ immnoreaction in TRPV1-positive muscle afferents were about 20%. TRPV1-positive primary afferents were contacted with spinal neurons expressing pERK after injection of acetic acid into the muscles. Conclusion: It is consequently suggested that nociception from skeletal muscles are mediated by TRPV1-positive primary afferents and majority of them are also peptidergic.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2012

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), responding to noxious cold (${\leq}17^{\circ}C$) and pungent compounds, is implicated in nociception, but little is known about the coexpression of TRPA1 and other channels or receptors involved in the nociception in craniofacial regions. To address this issue, we characterized the TRPA1-immunopositive (+) neurons in the rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) and investigated their colocalization with other proteins known to be expressed in nociceptive neurons, such as transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV1) and $P2X_3$ receptor, using light microscopic immunofluorescence labeling method with TRPA1 and TRPV1 or $P2X_3$ antisera. The majority of TRPA1+ neurons costained for TRPV1 (TRPV1+/TRPA1+; 58.8%, 328/558) and 41.2% only expressed TRPA1 but not TRPV1. The TRPV1+/TRPA1+ neurons were small and medium sized. In addition, we investigated the colocalization of TRPA1 with $P2X_3$, a nonselective cation channel activated by ATP that may be released in the extracellular space as a result of tissue damage and inflammation. Among all TRPA1+ TG neurons, 26.1% (310/1186) costained for $P2X_3$, whereas 73.9% (876/1186) of TRPA1+ neurons did not coexpress $P2X_3$. $P2X_3$+/TRPA1+ neurons were predominantly small and medium sized. These results suggest that TRPA1+ neurons coexpressing TRPV1 or $P2X_3$ are involved in specific roles in the transmission and processing of orofacial nociceptive information by noxious cold, heat, and inflammation.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2011

Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptor plays an important role as a molecular detector of noxious signals in primary sensory neurons. Activity of TRPV1 can be modulated by the change in the environment such as redox state and extracellular cations. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the mercury chloride ($HgCl_2$) on the activity of TRPV1 in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons using whole-cell patch clamp technique. Extracellular $HgCl_2$ reversibly reduced the magnitudes of capsaicin-activated currents ($I_{cap}$) in DRG neurons in a dose-dependent manner. The blocking effect of $HgCl_2$ was prevented by pretreatment with the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT). Inhibition of $I_{cap}$ by $HgCl_2$ was abolished by point mutation of individual cysteine residues located on the extracellular surface of TRPV1. These results suggest that three extracellular cysteines of TRPV1, Cys616, Cys634 and Cys621, are responsible for the oxidative modulation of $I_{cap}$ by $HgCl_2$.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.135-140
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• 2006

Temperature signaling can be initiated by members of transient receptor potential (thermo-TRP) channels. Hot and cold substances applied to teeth usually elicit pain sensation. Since odontoblasts constitute a well-defined layer between the pulp and the mineralized dentin, being first to encounter thermal stimulation from oral cavity, they may be involved in sensory transduction process, in addition to their primary function as formation of dentin. We investigated whether thermo-TRP channels are expressed in a odontoblast cell line, MDPC-23. The expressions of thermo-TRP channels were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, fluorometric calcium imaging. Analysis of RT-PCR revealed mRNA expression of TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV4 and TRPM8, but no TRPV3, TRPA1. Immunohistochemical approach failed to detect TRPV1 expression. Whereas the application of 4-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate($10\;{\mu}M$, a TRPV4 agonist), menthol(1 mM, a TRPM8 agonist) and icilin($10\;{\mu}M$, a TRPM8 agonist) produced the enhancement of intracellular calcium concentration, capsaicin($1\;{\mu}M$, a TRPV1 agonist) did not. Our results suggest that subfamily of thermo-TRP channels expressed in odontoblasts may serve as thermal or mechanical transducer in teeth.

• CELLMED
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.12.1-12.12
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• 2014

Epinephrine is a critical drug for patients at risk for anaphylaxis. Here, we suggest moxibustion as an alternative method to reduce anaphylaxis. Moxibustion was applied to the Shimen (CV5) acupoint and found to attenuate compound 48/80-induced mortality. Capsazepine, a transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 1 antagonist, significantly improved overall survival rates compared to groups treated with moxibustion or 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (an activator of TRPV1, 2, and 3). Probenecid (a TRPV2 agonist) also increased survival rate and reduced histamine levels. Survival rates increased by moxibustion and probenecid were completely inhibited by ruthenium red (a TRPV2 and 3 antagonist) and gadolinium chloride (general TRPV antagonist), respectively. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and ear swelling were significantly reduced by moxibustion and probenecid (p < 0.05). In cardiomyocytes, TRPV2 was over-expressed by compound 48/80 and histamine but this increased TRPV2 expression decreased to baseline with moxibustion and probenecid treatment. In addition, intracellular calcium levels increased by compound 48/80 were reduced by probenecid. Overall, these findings suggest that the reduction of anaphylaxis caused by moxibustion could represent a new mechanism of moxibustion related to the regulation of TRPV2 activation and promotion of epinephrine secretion.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.262-270
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• 2021

Background: Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a non-selective cation channel implicated in pain sensation in response to heat, protons, and capsaicin (CAPS). It is well established that TRPV1 is involved in mechanical allodynia. This study investigates the effect of Ononis spinosa (Fabaceae) in CAPS-induced mechanical allodynia and its mechanism of action. Methods: Mechanical allodynia was induced by the intraplantar (ipl) injection of 40 ㎍ CAPS into the left hind paw of male Wistar rats. Animals received an ipl injection of 100 ㎍ O. spinosa methanolic leaf extract or 2.5% diclofenac sodium 20 minutes before CAPS injection. Paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was measured using von Frey filament 30, 90, and 150 minutes after CAPS injection. A molecular docking tool, AutoDock 4.2, was used to study the binding energies and intermolecular interactions between O. spinosa constituents and TRPV1 receptor. Results: The ipsilateral ipl injection of O. spinosa before CAPS injection increased PWT in rats at all time points. O. spinosa decreased mechanical allodynia by 5.35-fold compared to a 3.59-fold decrease produced by diclofenac sodium. The ipsilateral pretreatment with TRPV1 antagonist (300 ㎍ 4-[3-Chloro-2-pyridinyl]-N-[4-[1,1-dimethylethyl] phenyl]-1-piperazinecarboxamide [BCTC]) as well as the β2-adrenoreceptor antagonist (150 ㎍ butoxamine) attenuated the action of O. spinosa. Depending on molecular docking results, the activity of the extract could be attributed to the bindings of campesterol, stigmasterol, and ononin compounds to TRPV1. Conclusions: O. spinosa alleviated CAPS-induced mechanical allodynia through 2 mechanisms: the direct modulation of TRPV1 and the involvement of β2 adrenoreceptor signaling.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2012

Recent studies have demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) activates transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) via S-nitrosylation of the channel protein. NO also modulates various cellular functions via activation of the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)/protein kinase G (PKG) pathway and the direct modification of proteins. Thus, in the present study, we investigated whether NO could indirectly modulate the activity of TRPV1 via a cGMP/PKG-dependent pathway in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. NO donors, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitro-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), decreased capsaicin-evoked currents ($I_{cap}$). NO scavengers, hemoglobin and 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (CPTIO), prevented the inhibitory effect of SNP on $I_{cap}$. Membrane-permeable cGMP analogs, 8-bromoguanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (8bromo-cGMP) and 8-(4chlorophenylthio)-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-pCPT-cGMP), and the guanylyl cyclase stimulator YC-1 mimicked the effect of SNP on $I_{cap}$. The PKG inhibitor KT5823 prevented the inhibition of $I_{cap}$ by SNP. These results suggest that NO can downregulate the function of TRPV1 through activation of the cGMP/PKG pathway in peripheral sensory neurons.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.514-521
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• 2007

The purinoreceptor, $P2X_3$ is a ligand-gated cation channel activated by extracellular ATP. It has been reported that ATP can be released during inflammation and tissue damage, which in turn may activate $P2X_3$ receptors to initiate nociceptive signals. However, little is known about the contribution of $P2X_3$ to the dental pain during pulpal inflammation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of $P2X_3$ and its colocalization with TRPV1 to understand the mechanism of pain transmission through $P2X_3$ in the human dental pulp with double labeling immunofluorescence method. In the human dental pulp, intense $P2X_3$ immunoreactiyity was observed throughout the coronal and radicular pulp. Of all $P2X_3$-positive fibers examined, 79.4% coexpressed TRPV1. This result suggests that $P2X_3$ along with TRPV1 may be involved in the transmission of pain and potentiation of noxious stimuli during pulpal inflammation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.71-77
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• 2010

Purpose: To determine whether upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) transcription and translation is related to radicular pain in a model of lumbar disc herniation. Also, to investigate the temporal changes of mRNA expression of iNOS and the identity of iNOS and transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 1 channel expression cells in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of a model of lumbar disc herniation. Methods: A lumbar disc herniated rat model was developed by implantation of the autologous nucleus pulposus, harvested from the coccygeal vertebra of each tail, on the left L5 nerve root just proximal to the DRG. Rats were tested for mechanical allodynia of the plantar surface of both hind paws 2 days before surgery and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days postoperatively. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to follow iNOS mRNA expression. To stain iNOS and TRPV1 in DRG, an immunohistochemical study was done 10 days after surgery. Results: A significant drop in mechanical withdrawal threshold on the ipsilateral and contralateral hind paws was observed 1 day after surgery and was prolonged to 30 days in rats with lumbar disc herniation. The expression of mRNA for iNOS peaked at postoperative day 10 on both sides of the DRG. iNOS-positive sensory neurons in the DRG varied in size from large to small diameter cells. A majority of small and intermediate sensory neurons were TRPV1-positive cells. Double immunofluorescence staining for TRPV1 and iNOS revealed that most intermediate TRPV1-positive sensory neurons co-localized with iNOS-positive neurons. Conclusion: Nucleus pulposus-induced mechanical allodynia can be generated without mechanical compression. This pain is related to temporal changes in expression of iNOS mRNA in the DRG. Co-localization of TRPV1 and iNOS in intermediate neurons of the DRG is correlated with pain modality and intensity.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.8
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• pp.33.1-33.8
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• 2014

Background: Sox 9 is a major marker of chondrocyte differentiation. When chondrocytes are cultured in vitro they progressively de-differentiate and this is associated with a decline in Sox 9 expression. The active form of vitamin D, 1, 25 $(OH)_2D_3$ has been shown to be protective of cartilage in both humans and animals. In this study equine articular chondrocytes were grown in culture and the effects of 1, 25 $(OH)_2D_3$ upon Sox 9 expression examined. The expression of the transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) ion channels 5 and 6 in equine chondrocytes in vitro, we have previously shown, is inversely correlated with de-differentiation. The expression of these channels in response to 1, 25 $(OH)_2D_3$ administration was therefore also examined. Results: The active form of vitamin D (1, 25 $(OH)_2D_3$ when administered to cultured equine chondrocytes at two different concentrations significantly increased the expression of Sox 9 at both. In contrast 1, 25 $(OH)_2D_3$ had no significant effect upon the expression of either TRPV 5 or 6 at either the protein or the mRNA level. Conclusions: The increased expression of Sox 9, in equine articular chondrocytes in vitro, in response to the active form of vitamin D suggests that this compound could be utilized to inhibit the progressive de-differentiation that is normally observed in these cells. It is also supportive of previous studies indicating that $1{\alpha}$, 25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ can have a protective effect upon cartilage in animals in vivo. The previously observed correlation between the degree of differentiation and the expression levels of TRPV 5/6 had suggested that these ion channels may have a direct involvement in, or be modulated by, the differentiation process in vitro. The data in the present study do not support this.