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Both heat-sensitive TRPV4 and cold-sensitive TRPM8 ion channels regulate microglial activity

Ranabir Chakraborty1, Chandan Goswami2

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|April 30, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Thermosensitive ion channels TRPV4 and TRPM8 are present in rat microglia. Modulating these channels impacts microglial cell functions, suggesting their role in brain health and disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are crucial for neural circuit development and maintenance.
  • Microglial functions are sensitive to temperature and mechanical stimuli.
  • Thermosensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels are potential regulators of microglial activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and function of TRPV4 (heat-sensitive) and TRPM8 (cold-sensitive) ion channels in rat microglia.
  • To determine the impact of TRPV4 and TRPM8 modulation on microglial cell behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Primary rat microglia and N9 microglial cell line were used.
  • Pharmacological agents were employed to modulate TRPV4 and TRPM8 channel activity.
  • Intracellular calcium levels, cell morphology, migration, and motility were assessed.

Main Results:

  • The study confirmed the endogenous and functional expression of TRPV4 and TRPM8 in rat microglia.
  • Pharmacological modulation of TRPV4 and TRPM8 significantly altered intracellular calcium levels.
  • Changes in cell morphology, migration, and motility were observed upon channel modulation.

Conclusions:

  • TRPV4 and TRPM8 function as regulators of microglial activities.
  • These findings highlight the role of thermosensitive ion channels in microglial function.
  • The results have implications for understanding neuro-glia interactions in neurological disorders and for biomedical applications.
Keywords:
Ca(2+)-signalingMicrogliaMigrationMotilityTRPM8TRPV4

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