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TRPA1 contributes to specific mechanically activated currents and sensory neuron mechanical hypersensitivity.
- Source :
-
The Journal of physiology [J Physiol] 2011 Jul 15; Vol. 589 (Pt 14), pp. 3575-93. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 May 09. - Publication Year :
- 2011
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Abstract
- The mechanosensory role of TRPA1 and its contribution to mechanical hypersensitivity in sensory neurons remains enigmatic. We elucidated this role by recording mechanically activated currents in conjunction with TRPA1 over- and under-expression and selective pharmacology. First, we established that TRPA1 transcript, protein and functional expression are more abundant in smaller-diameter neurons than larger-diameter neurons, allowing comparison of two different neuronal populations. Utilising whole cell patch clamping, we applied calibrated displacements to neurites of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in short-term culture and recorded mechanically activated currents termed intermediately (IAMCs), rapidly (RAMCs) or slowly adapting (SAMCs). Trpa1 deletion (–/–) significantly reduced maximum IAMC amplitude by 43% in small-diameter neurons compared with wild-type (+/+) neurons. All other mechanically activated currents in small- and large-diameter Trpa1−/− neurons were unaltered. Seventy-three per cent of Trpa1+/+ small-diameter neurons responding to the TRPA1 agonist allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC) displayed IAMCs to neurite displacement, which were significantly enhanced after AITC addition. The TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031 significantly decreased Trpa1+/+ IAMC amplitudes, but only in AITC responsive neurons. Using a transfection system we also showed TRPA1 over-expression in Trpa1+/+ small-diameter neurons increases IAMC amplitude, an effect reversed by HC-030031. Furthermore, TRPA1 introduction into Trpa1−/− small-diameter neurons restored IAMC amplitudes to Trpa1+/+ levels, which was subsequently reversed by HC-030031. In summary our data demonstrate TRPA1 makes a contribution to normal mechanosensation in a specific subset of DRG neurons. Furthermore, they also provide new evidence illustrating mechanisms by which sensitisation or over-expression of TRPA1 enhances nociceptor mechanosensitivity. Overall, these findings suggest TRPA1 has the capacity to tune neuronal mechanosensitivity depending on its degree of activation or expression.
- Subjects :
- Acetanilides pharmacology
Action Potentials drug effects
Action Potentials genetics
Animals
Cells, Cultured
Ganglia, Spinal drug effects
Isothiocyanates pharmacology
Mechanotransduction, Cellular drug effects
Mechanotransduction, Cellular physiology
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Knockout
Patch-Clamp Techniques methods
Purines pharmacology
Sensory Receptor Cells drug effects
TRPA1 Cation Channel
Transient Receptor Potential Channels agonists
Transient Receptor Potential Channels antagonists & inhibitors
Action Potentials physiology
Ganglia, Spinal physiology
Hyperalgesia physiopathology
Sensory Receptor Cells physiology
Transient Receptor Potential Channels physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1469-7793
- Volume :
- 589
- Issue :
- Pt 14
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Journal of physiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 21558163
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2011.206789