PECULIARITIES OF TRPM8 RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN THE RESPIRATORY TRACT OF ASTHMA PATIENTS

The aim of the study was to analyze the peculiarities of TRPM8 receptor expression at protein level in induced sputum and nasal epithelium of asthma patients, and to evaluate their relationship to maintenance therapy and cold airway hyperresponsiveness. The study enrolled 43 patients, including those with persistent mild-to-moderate asthma and those with chronic non-obstructive bronchitis (control group). Analysis of TRPM8 expression was performed by indirect flow cytometry. In addition, patients underwent spirometry and a bronchoprovocation test with 3-minute cold air hyperventilation. As a result, we found that TRPM8 was expressed on macrophages of induced spleen and nasal epithelium. Its expression in patients with asthma who did not receive maintenance therapy was more pronounced as compared to the treated patients or the control group. Moreover, the relationship between increased expression of TRPM8 on macrophages and cold airway hyperresponsiveness was established. Further studies should reveal the possibility of TRPM8 usage as a prognostic biomarker of asthma at various stages of the disease development.