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TRPV 4 channels in the human urogenital tract play a role in cell junction formation and epithelial barrier
Author(s) -
Janssen D. A. W.,
Jansen C. J. F.,
Hafmans T. G.,
Verhaegh G. W.,
Hoenderop J. G.,
Heesakkers J. P. F. A.,
Schalken J. A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta physiologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.591
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1748-1716
pISSN - 1748-1708
DOI - 10.1111/apha.12701
Subject(s) - trpv4 , microbiology and biotechnology , transient receptor potential channel , trpv , tight junction , epithelium , knockout mouse , intracellular , chemistry , cell junction , biology , cell , receptor , biochemistry , trpv1 , genetics
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.