TRP channels in lymphocytes

TRP proteins form ion channels that are activated following receptor stimulation. Several members of the TRP family are likely to be expressed in lymphocytes. However, in many studies, messenger RNA (mRNA) but not protein expression was analyzed and cell lines but not primary human or murine lymphocytes were used. Among the expressed TRP mRNAs are TRPC1, TRPC3, TRPM2, TRPM4, TRPM7, TRPV1, and TRPV2. Regulation of Ca2+ entry is a key process for lymphocyte activation, and TRP channels may both increase Ca2+ influx (such as TRPC3) or decrease Ca2+ influx through membrane depolarization (such as TRPM4). In the future, linking endogenous Ca2+/cation channels in lymphocytes with TRP proteins should lead to a better molecular understanding of lymphocyte activation.