Stimulation of the EP3 receptor causes lung edema by activation of TRPC6 in pulmonary endothelial cells

Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 6 (TRPC6) Channel in the Pathogenesis of Diseases: A Jack of Many Trades

The mammalian Transient Receptor Potential Canonical (TRPC) subfamily comprises seven transmembrane proteins (TRPC1-7) forming cation channels in the plasma membrane of mammalian cells. TRPC channels mediate Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ influx into the cells. Amongst TRPCs, TRPC6 deficiency or increased activity due to gain-of-function mutations has been associated with a multitude of diseases, such as kidney disease, pulmonary disease, and neurological disease. Indeed, the TRPC6 protein is expressed in various organs and is involved in diverse signalling pathways. The last decade saw a surge in the investigative studies concerning the physiological roles of TRPC6 and describing the development of new pharmacological tools modulating TRPC6 activity. The current review summarizes the progress achieved in those investigations.

Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Channels in Airway Toxicity and Disease: An Update

Our respiratory system is exposed to toxicants and pathogens from both sides: the airways and the vasculature. While tracheal, bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells form a natural barrier in the airways, endothelial cells protect the lung from perfused toxic compounds, particulate matter and invading microorganism in the vascular system. Damages induce inflammation by our immune response and wound healing by (myo)fibroblast proliferation. Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily of ion channel are expressed in many cells of the respiratory tract and serve multiple functions in physiology and pathophysiology. TRP expression patterns in non-neuronal cells with a focus on TRPA1, TRPC6, TRPM2, TRPM5, TRPM7, TRPV2, TRPV4 and TRPV6 channels are presented, and their roles in barrier function, immune regulation and phagocytosis are summarized. Moreover, TRP channels as future pharmacological targets in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic and pulmonary fibrosis as well as lung edema are discussed.

Pharmacotherapy of Itch-Antihistamines and Histamine Receptors as G Protein-Coupled Receptors

Itching can decrease quality of life and exacerbate skin symptoms due to scratching. Itching not only contributes to disease progression but also triggers complications such as skin infections and eye symptoms. Therefore, controlling itching is very important in therapeutic management. In addition to the well-known histamine, IL-31, IL-4 and IL-13 have recently been reported as factors that induce itching. Itching may also be caused by factors other than these histamines. However, we do not know the extent to which these factors are involved in each disease. In addition, the degree of involvement is likely to vary among individuals. To date, antihistamines have been widely used to treat itching and are often effective, suggesting that histamine is more or less involved in itchy diseases. This review discusses the ligand-receptor perspective and describes the dynamics of G protein-coupled receptors, their role as biased agonists, their role as inverse agonists, proactive antihistamine therapy, and drug selection with consideration of impaired performance and anti-PAF effects.