Koji Shibasaki

Effects of Body Temperature on Neural Activity in the Hippocampus: Regulation of Resting Membrane Potentials by Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4

Physiological body temperature is an important determinant for neural functions, and it is well established that changes in temperature have dynamic influences on hippocampal neural activities. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms have never been clarified. Here, we show that hippocampal neurons express functional transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), one of the thermosensitive TRP (transient receptor potential) channels, and that TRPV4 is constitutively active at physiological temperature. Activation of TRPV4 at 37°C depolarized the resting membrane potential in hippocampal neurons by allowing cation influx, which was observed in wild-type (WT) neurons, but not in TRPV4-deficient (TRPV4KO) cells, although dendritic morphology, synaptic marker clustering, and synaptic currents were indistinguishable between the two genotypes. Furthermore, current injection studies revealed that TRPV4KO neurons required larger depolarization to evoke firing, equivalent to WT neurons, indicating that TRPV4 is a key regulator for hippocampal neural excitabilities. We conclude that TRPV4 is activated by physiological temperature in hippocampal neurons and thereby controls their excitability.

The TRPV4 Cation Channel Mediates Stretch-evoked Ca2+ Influx and ATP Release in Primary Urothelial Cell Cultures

Transient receptor potential channels have recently been implicated in physiological functions in a urogenital system. In this study, we investigated the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels in a stretch sensing mechanism in mouse primary urothelial cell cultures. The selective TRPV4 agonist, 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4α-PDD) evoked Ca2+ influx in wild-type (WT) urothelial cells, but not in TRPV4-deficient (TRPV4KO) cells. We established a cell-stretch system to investigate stretch-evoked changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and ATP release. Stretch stimulation evoked intracellular Ca2+ increases in a stretch speed- and distance-dependent manner in WT and TRPV4KO cells. In TRPV4KO urothelial cells, however, the intracellular Ca2+ increase in response to stretch stimulation was significantly attenuated compared with that in WT cells. Stretch-evoked Ca2+ increases in WT urothelium were partially reduced in the presence of ruthenium red, a broad TRP channel blocker, whereas that in TRPV4KO cells did not show such reduction. Potent ATP release occurred following stretch stimulation or 4α-PDD administration in WT urothelial cells, which was dramatically suppressed in TRPV4KO cells. Stretch-dependent ATP release was almost completely eliminated in the presence of ruthenium red or in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. These results suggest that TRPV4 senses distension of the bladder urothelium, which is converted to an ATP signal in the micturition reflex pathway during urine storage.

TRPV3 in keratinocytes transmits temperature information to sensory neurons via ATP

Transient receptor potential V3 (TRPV3) and TRPV4 are heat-activated cation channels expressed in keratinocytes. It has been proposed that heat-activation of TRPV3 and/or TRPV4 in the skin may release diffusible molecules which would then activate termini of neighboring dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Here we show that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is such a candidate molecule released from keratinocytes upon heating in the co-culture systems. Using TRPV1-deficient DRG neurons, we found that increase in cytosolic Ca2+-concentration in DRG neurons upon heating was observed only when neurons were co-cultured with keratinocytes, and this increase was blocked by P2 purinoreceptor antagonists, PPADS and suramin. In a co-culture of keratinocytes with HEK293 cells (transfected with P2X2 cDNA to serve as a bio-sensor), we observed that heat-activated keratinocytes secretes ATP, and that ATP release is compromised in keratinocytes from TRPV3-deficient mice. This study provides evidence that ATP is a messenger molecule for mainly TRPV3-mediated thermotransduction in skin.

TRPV2 Enhances Axon Outgrowth through Its Activation by Membrane Stretch in Developing Sensory and Motor Neurons

Thermosensitive TRP (thermo TRP) channels are well recognized for their contributions to sensory transduction, responding to a wide variety of stimuli including temperature, nociceptive stimuli, touch, and osmolarity. However, the precise roles for the thermo TRP channels during development have not been determined. To explore the functional importance of thermo TRP channels during neural development, the temporal expression was determined in embryonic mice. Interestingly, TRPV2 expression was detected in spinal motor neurons in addition to the dorsal root ganglia from embryonic day 10.5 and was localized in axon shafts and growth cones, suggesting that the channel is important for axon outgrowth regulation. We revealed that endogenous TRPV2 was activated in a membrane stretch-dependent manner in developing neurons by knocking down the TRPV2 function with dominant-negative TRPV2 and TRPV2-specific shRNA and significantly promoted axon outgrowth. Thus, for the first time we revealed that TRPV2 is an important regulator for axon outgrowth through its activation by membrane stretch during development.

Intracellular alkalization causes pain sensation through activation of TRPA1 in mice

Vertebrate cells require a very narrow pH range for survival. Cells accordingly possess sensory and defense mechanisms for situations where the pH deviates from the viable range. Although the monitoring of acidic pH by sensory neurons has been attributed to several ion channels, including transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channel (TRPV1) and acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), the mechanisms by which these cells detect alkaline pH are not well understood. Here, using Ca2+ imaging and patch-clamp recording, we showed that alkaline pH activated transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily A, member 1 (TRPA1) and that activation of this ion channel was involved in nociception. In addition, intracellular alkalization activated TRPA1 at the whole-cell level, and single-channel openings were observed in the inside-out configuration, indicating that alkaline pH activated TRPA1 from the inside. Analyses of mutants suggested that the two N-terminal cysteine residues in TRPA1 were involved in activation by intracellular alkalization. Furthermore, intraplantar injection of ammonium chloride into the mouse hind paw caused pain-related behaviors that were not observed in TRPA1-deficient mice. These results suggest that alkaline pH causes pain sensation through activation of TRPA1 and may provide a molecular explanation for some of the human alkaline pH-related sensory disorders whose mechanisms are largely unknown.

Involvement of TRPV2 Activation in Intestinal Movement through Nitric Oxide Production in Mice

Transient receptor potential channel vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) can detect various stimuli such as temperature (>52°C), stretch, and chemicals, including 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, probenecid, and lysophospholipids. Although expressed in many tissues, including sensory and motor neurons, TRPV2 expression and function in the gastrointestinal tract is poorly understood. Here, we show TRPV2 expression in the murine intestine and its involvement in intestinal function. Almost all mouse intestinal intrinsic sensory and inhibitory motor neurons, both cell bodies and nerve fibers, showed TRPV2 immunoreactivity. Several known TRPV2 activators increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations and evoked TRPV2-like current responses in dissociated myenteric neurons. Interestingly, mechanical stimuli activated inward currents in a strength-dependent manner, which were inhibited by a TRPV2 inhibitor tranilast. TRPV2 activation in isolated intestine inhibited spontaneous circular muscle contraction, which did not occur in the presence of the TRPV2 antagonist, tetrodotoxin or nitro oxide (NO) synthase pathway inhibitors. Also, increased intestinal NO production was observed in response to a TRPV2 agonist, and gastrointestinal transit in vivo was accelerated by TRPV2 agonists or an NO donor. In conclusion, TRPV2 may contribute to intestinal motility through NO production, and TRPV2 is a promising target for controlling intestinal movement.

Modulation of water efflux through functional interaction between TRPV4 and TMEM16A/anoctamin 1

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), a calcium‐permeable channel, is highly expressed in the apical membrane of choroid plexus epithelial cells (CPECs) in the brain. The function of TRPV4 is unknown. Here, we show physical and functional interaction between TRPV4 and anoctamin 1 (ANO1) in HEK293T cells and CPECs. Chloride currents induced by a TRPV4 activator (GSK1016790A) were markedly increased in an extracellular calcium‐dependent manner in HEK293T cells expressing TRPV4 with ANO1, but not with ANO4, ANO6, or ANO10, the mRNAs of which were expressed in the choroid plexus. We also found physical interaction between TRPV4 and ANO1 in both HEK293T cells and choroid plexus. We observed that ANO1 was activated at a warm temperature (37°C) in HEK293T cells and that the heat‐evoked chloride currents were markedly enhanced after GSK1016790A application in CPECs. Simultaneous stimulation by warmth and hyposmosis induced chloride current activation in wild‐type, but not in TRPV4‐deficient, CPECs. Cell volume changes were induced by ANO1‐mediated chloride currents in parallel with membrane potential changes, and the cell volume was significantly decreased at negative membrane potentials by TRPV4‐induced ANO1 activation. Thus, physical and functional interactions between TRPV4 and ANO1 can modulate water transport in the choroid plexus.—Takayama, Y., Shibasaki, K., Suzuki, Y., Yamanaka, A., Tominaga, M. Modulation of water efflux through functional interaction between TRPV4 and TMEM16A/anoctamin 1. FASEB J. 28, 2238–2248 (2014). www.fasebj.org

Hypoxia-induced sensitization of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 involves activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha and PKC

&NA; The capsaicin receptor, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), acts as a polymodal detector of pain‐producing chemical and physical stimuli in sensory neurons. Hyperglycemia and hypoxia are two main phenomena in diabetes associated with several complications. Although many studies on streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats indicate that early diabetic neuropathy is associated with potentiation of TRPV1 activity in dorsal root ganglion neurons, its underlying mechanism and distinctive roles of hyperglycemia and hypoxia have not been completely clarified. Here, we show that hypoxic and high glucose conditions (overnight exposure) potentiate the TRPV1 activity without affecting TRPV1 expression in both native rat sensory neurons and human embryonic kidney‐derived 293 cells expressing rat or human TRPV1. Surprisingly, hypoxia was found to be a more effective determinant than high glucose, and hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha (HIF‐1α) seemed to be involved. In addition, high glucose enhanced TRPV1 sensitization only when high glucose existed together with hypoxia. The potentiation of TRPV1 was caused by its phosphorylation of the serine residues, and translocation of protein kinase C (PKC)&egr; was clearly observed in the cells exposed to the hypoxic conditions in both cell types, which was inhibited by 2‐methoxyestradiol, a HIF‐1α inhibitor. These data suggest that hypoxia is a new sensitization mechanism for TRPV1, which might be relevant to diabetes‐related complications, and also for other diseases that are associated with acute hypoxia. TRPV1 was found to be sensitized upon in vitro overnight exposure to hypoxia and high glucose mainly by hypoxia in a PKCepsilon‐ and HIF‐1alpha‐dependent manner.

A Novel Subtype of Astrocytes Expressing TRPV4 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4) Regulates Neuronal Excitability via Release of Gliotransmitters

Background: The functional differences among astrocyte subtypes are uncharacterized. Results: Only a subset of astrocytes expresses TRPV4 and regulates neurons. Conclusion: TRPV4+ astrocytes release ATP and glutamate to regulate neurons. Significance: Astrocytes can be classified by TRPV4 expression and by function. Astrocytes play active roles in the regulation of synaptic transmission. Neuronal excitation can evoke Ca2+ transients in astrocytes, and these Ca2+ transients can modulate neuronal excitability. Although only a subset of astrocytes appears to communicate with neurons, the types of astrocytes that can regulate neuronal excitability are poorly characterized. We found that ∼30% of astrocytes in the brain express transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), indicating that astrocytic subtypes can be classified on the basis of their expression patterns. When TRPV4+ astrocytes are activated by ligands such as arachidonic acid, the activation propagates to neighboring astrocytes through gap junctions and by ATP release from the TRPV4+ astrocytes. After activation, both TRPV4+ and TRPV4− astrocytes release glutamate, which acts as an excitatory gliotransmitter to increase synaptic transmission through type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR). Our results indicate that TRPV4+ astrocytes constitute a novel subtype of the population and are solely responsible for initiating excitatory gliotransmitter release to enhance synaptic transmission. We propose that TRPV4+ astrocytes form a core of excitatory glial assembly in the brain and function to efficiently increase neuronal excitation in response to endogenous TRPV4 ligands.

Stimulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 channel suppresses abnormal activation of microglia induced by lipopolysaccharide.

Microglia are intrinsic immune cells in the brain. In response to neurodegenerative events, excessively activated microglia change their shapes and release various cytokines leading to the pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) disease. Because the intracellular mechanisms of this process are still unclear, we have evaluated the functional roles of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel expressed in the microglia. Robust microglial activation after an injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the mouse cerebral ventricle was suppressed by concurrent administration of a selective TRPV4 agonist, 4α‐phorbol 12,13‐didecanoate (4α‐PDD). When the mechanism was further investigated using cultured rat microglia intrinsically expressing functional TRPV4, release of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and expression of galectin‐3 were both increased by LPS. These increases were significantly suppressed by cotreatment with 4α‐PDD, and the inhibitory effects of 4α‐PDD were abolished by knockdown of TRPV4 or TRPV4 antagonists. The amplitude of voltage‐dependent K+ current, which is augmented during microglial activation, was also suppressed by 4α‐PDD treatment. Opening of TRPV4 channels with 4α‐PDD induced membrane depolarization mainly by increasing Na+ influx. In addition, mimicking depolarization with a high‐K+ solution suppressed LPS‐induced TNF‐α release and galectin‐3 upregulation. Both depolarizing treatments with 4α‐PDD and high‐K+ solution decreased store‐operated Ca2+ influx caused by thapsigargin. These results suggest that depolarization in response to opening of the TRPV4 channel attenuates the driving force for extracellular Ca2+ and suppresses microglial activation.