TRP channels: Intestinal bloating TRiPs up pathogen avoidance
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Updated: Oct 27, 2025

Induction of Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of CBir1 TCR Transgenic CD4+ T Cells to Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: December 16, 2021
Elizabeth A Ronan1, Rui Xiao2, X Z Shawn Xu1
1Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, United States; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, United States.
Abstract:
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are expressed in many nonneural tissues where their functions are not well known. Using C. elegans as a model, a new study demonstrated that colonization of the Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria E. faecalis in the intestine causes intestinal distention. Two TRPM channels sense such intestinal distension to trigger fast pathogen avoidance behavior, thereby limiting pathogen infection. This work signifies the novel role of TRP channels in gut physiology and pathogen defense.
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