Oral Epithelial Cells are Activated via TRP Channels

• Published in: Journal of dental research Vol. 90; no. 2; pp. 163 - 167
• Main Authors: Wang, B., Danjo, A., Kajiya, H., Okabe, K., Kido, M.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.02.2011; International Association for Dental Research; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Calcium - metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Dentistry; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Epithelial Cells - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression; Male; Mouth Mucosa - cytology; Mouth Mucosa - metabolism; Mouth Mucosa - physiology; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sensation - physiology; Somesthesis and somesthetic pathways (proprioception, exteroception, nociception); interoception; electrolocation. Sensory receptors; Transient Receptor Potential Channels - biosynthesis; Transient Receptor Potential Channels - genetics; Trigeminal Ganglion - metabolism; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; cell biology; gingiva; keratinocyte(s); RT-PCR; thermal; oral; trigeminal; neurophysiology; epithelia; TRP channels; multisensory perception; Rat; Cell biology; Trigeminal nerve; Transient receptor potential channel; Keratinocyte; Physiology; Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; Rodentia; Gene expression; Neurophysiology; Oral cavity; Vertebrata; Sensitivity; Mammalia; Animal; Epithelial cell; Perception; Molecular biology; Gingiva
• ISSN: 0022-0345; 1544-0591
• DOI: 10.1177/0022034510385459

Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels are critical contributors to the perception of various environmental stimuli. Although the oral cavity is the access point for various food types, the expression of TRP channels in oral mucosa remains unknown. We hypothesized that the oral epithelium itself may participate in sensing thermal, mechanical, and chemical conditions. The expression profiles of TRP channels exhibited regional differences among the buccal, palatal, and tongue epithelia. Changes in elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in oral epithelial cells were found after stimulation of the TRP channels with capsaicin, camphor, 4α-phorbol-12,13 didecanoate (4α-PDD), 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), and menthol. These increases in Ca2+ appeared dependent on the TRP channels, because [Ca2+]i suppression was observed after the addition of the TRPV channel antagonist ruthenium red. These results demonstrate that the oral epithelia express various TRP channels and may have functional roles in sensory activities, together with neurons.