TRPV₁ channels in cardiovascular system: A double edged sword?

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Molecular Biology
• Channelopathies

Background:

• Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels are known for their role in pain perception.
• Emerging evidence highlights their significant involvement in various cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted roles of TRPV1 channel activation in cardiovascular diseases.
• To elucidate the protective and detrimental effects of TRPV1 modulation in conditions like atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating TRPV1 channel function in cardiovascular pathophysiology.
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying TRPV1 channel's influence on cellular processes like gene expression, autophagy, and ion transport.

Main Results:

• TRPV1 activation demonstrates protective effects against atherosclerosis and systemic hypertension by enhancing cholesterol efflux, increasing UCP2 expression, promoting autophagy, facilitating Na+ excretion, and increasing NO release.
• TRPV1 activation in cardiac sensory neurons contributes to cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury via CGRP release.
• Conversely, TRPV1 activation can be detrimental in pulmonary hypertension, hemorrhage, and vascular remodeling, promoting smooth muscle cell proliferation and fibrosis.

Conclusions:

• TRPV1 channels exhibit a complex, dual role in cardiovascular diseases, offering protection in some contexts while exacerbating pathology in others.
• Targeting TRPV1 channels presents a potential therapeutic strategy, but requires careful consideration of the specific disease context to harness beneficial effects and avoid adverse outcomes.