Role of Sensory Neuron TRPV1 Channels in Mesenteric Artery Vasodilation
Conference Year
2023
Abstract
Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels are nonselective cation channels in the transient receptor potential superfamily. TRPV1 channels are responsive to a variety of noxious stimuli including temperature and plant derived compounds such as capsaicin—the chemical providing the distinctive spice of chili peppers. Most notably, these channels are expressed abundantly in peripheral nociceptive neurons and play an important role in pain sensation. While the role of TRPV1 channels in nociception has been extensively studied, the distribution and role of these channels in other tissues such as the vasculature remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TRPV1 channels expressed in perivascular sensory neurons in mesenteric artery dilation. Ex vivo diameter measurements were made of mesenteric arteries from global TRPV1 knockout (KO), sensory neuron (SN)-specific TRPV1 KO, and wild type mice. We predicted that capsaicin induced dilations would be abolished in global KO and sensory nerve specific mice, while remaining in wild type mice. We found arteries from wild type mice to exhibit robust capsaicin-induced vasodilation, which was absent in arteries from global TRPV1 KO mice. Interestingly, capsaicin-induced dilations were observed in SN-TRPV1 KO mice. These findings suggest that capsaicin-induced mesenteric artery dilation may be mediated, at least in part, through activation of TRPV1 channels present in cells other than perivascular nerves.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
George Wellman
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Neuroscience
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Role of Sensory Neuron TRPV1 Channels in Mesenteric Artery Vasodilation
Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels are nonselective cation channels in the transient receptor potential superfamily. TRPV1 channels are responsive to a variety of noxious stimuli including temperature and plant derived compounds such as capsaicin—the chemical providing the distinctive spice of chili peppers. Most notably, these channels are expressed abundantly in peripheral nociceptive neurons and play an important role in pain sensation. While the role of TRPV1 channels in nociception has been extensively studied, the distribution and role of these channels in other tissues such as the vasculature remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TRPV1 channels expressed in perivascular sensory neurons in mesenteric artery dilation. Ex vivo diameter measurements were made of mesenteric arteries from global TRPV1 knockout (KO), sensory neuron (SN)-specific TRPV1 KO, and wild type mice. We predicted that capsaicin induced dilations would be abolished in global KO and sensory nerve specific mice, while remaining in wild type mice. We found arteries from wild type mice to exhibit robust capsaicin-induced vasodilation, which was absent in arteries from global TRPV1 KO mice. Interestingly, capsaicin-induced dilations were observed in SN-TRPV1 KO mice. These findings suggest that capsaicin-induced mesenteric artery dilation may be mediated, at least in part, through activation of TRPV1 channels present in cells other than perivascular nerves.