Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 7, 2025
05:35
Imaging Ca2+ Signals in Small Pulmonary Veins at Physiological Intraluminal Pressures
Published on: March 21, 2025
480
Ca2+ Signaling by TRPV4 Channels in Respiratory Function and Disease
Suhasini Rajan1, Christian Schremmer1, Jonas Weber1
1Experimental Pharmacotherapy, Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), LMU-Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany.
Cells
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels play key roles in lung function and disease. Targeting TRPV4 offers potential therapeutic strategies for respiratory conditions like asthma and fibrosis.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are vital for cellular functions.
- TRPV4 channels exhibit diverse, sometimes opposing, roles within the respiratory system.
- TRPV4 is implicated in lung fibroblasts, endothelium, and epithelial cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted roles of TRPV4 in respiratory physiology and pathophysiology.
- To explore TRPV4's involvement in cellular signaling pathways, particularly calcium (Ca2+) transduction.
- To highlight TRPV4 as a potential therapeutic target for lung diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on TRPV4 in respiratory systems.
- Analysis of data from animal models and human lung tissues.
- Examination of TRPV4's role in cellular signal transduction.
Main Results:
- TRPV4 channels are crucial in lung fibroblasts, endothelium, and epithelium.
- TRPV4 participates in Ca2+ signaling crucial for cellular functions.
- Evidence from models and human tissues underscores TRPV4's significance.
Conclusions:
- TRPV4 channels are integral to respiratory system mechanisms.
- TRPV4 is a promising therapeutic target for lung diseases.
- Modulating TRPV4 activity may treat asthma, fibrosis, edema, and infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
7.1K
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
7.1K
01:31Chemical Factors Affecting Respiration Centers
1.6K
Chemical factors such as changing CO2, O2, and H+ levels in arterial blood play a critical role in influencing respiration depth and rates. These variations are detected by chemoreceptors—specialized sensors located in two primary body areas. Central chemoreceptors are found throughout the brain stem, including the ventrolateral medulla, while peripheral chemoreceptors are located in the aortic arch and carotid arteries.
CO2 has a potent influence on respiration and is strictly regulated....
CO2 has a potent influence on respiration and is strictly regulated....
1.6K
01:16Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
5.5K
Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein in eukaryotes that controls various calcium-regulated cellular processes. It has four calcium-binding sites that bind calcium to form the calcium-calmodulin ( Ca2+-CaM) complex. GPCR stimulation increases the calcium levels in the cells that bind to CaM and induces a conformational change.
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
5.5K
01:30Acute Respiratory Failure-III
448
Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without...
448
01:18Respiratory Regulation of Acid-Base Balance
972
Respiratory compensation is a vital physiological process that stabilizes blood plasma pH by regulating the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), a key determinant of pH levels. Most carbon dioxide in the blood dissolves and converts into carbonic acid (H2CO3). It dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3⁻). There is also an inverse relationship between PCO2 and pH.
When carbon dioxide levels increase in the blood, more H+ and HCO3⁻ are...
When carbon dioxide levels increase in the blood, more H+ and HCO3⁻ are...
972
01:23Physiological Control of Respiration
4.8K
Introduction
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
4.8K