TRPV 4 channels in the human urogenital tract play a role in cell junction formation and epithelial barrier

Aim The molecular interactions between transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 4 channels ( TRPV 4) and cell junction formation were investigated in the human and mouse urogenital tract. Materials and Methods A qualitative study was performed to investigate TRPV 4 channels, adherence junctions ( AJ s) and tight junctions ( TJ s) in kidney, ureter and bladder tissues from humans and wild‐type and transgenic TRPV 4 knockout (−/−) mice with immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation and reverse trasnscription‐ PCR . Cell junction formation in the wild‐type and TRPV 4 knockout (−/−) mouse was evaluated with immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscope ( TEM ) techniques. Results TRPV 4 channels are predominantly located in membranes of epithelial cells of the bladder, ureter and the collecting ducts of the kidney. There is a molecular interaction between the TRPV 4 channel and the AJ . TEM evaluation showed that AJ formation is disrupted in the TRPV 4 −/− mouse resulting in deficient intercellular connections and integrity of the epithelium. Conclusions TRPV 4 is believed to be a mechanoreceptor in the bladder. This study demonstrates that TRPV 4 is also involved in intercellular connectivity and structural integrity of the epithelium.