Transient receptor potential channel subfamily A member 1 (TRPA1) is a non-selective cationic channel, identified initially as a cold sensory receptor. TRPA1 responds to diverse exogenous and endogenous stimuli associated with pain and inflammation. However, the information on the role of TRPA1 toward T-cell responses remains scanty. In silico data suggest that TRPA1 can play an important role in the T-cell activation process. In this work, we explored the endogenous expression of TRPA1 and its function in T cells. By reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, we demonstrated that TRPA1 is endogenously expressed in primary murine splenic T cells as well as in primary human T cells. TRPA1 is primarily located at the cell surface. TRPA1-specific activator namely allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) increases intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) levels while two different inhibitors namely A-967079 as well as HC-030031 reduce intracellular Ca2+ levels in T cells; TRPA1 inhibition also reduces TCR-mediated calcium influx. TRPA1 expression was found to be increased during αCD3/αCD28 (TCR) or Concanavalin A (ConA)-driven stimulation in T cells. TRPA1-specific inhibitor treatment prevented induction of cluster of differentiation 25 (CD25), cluster of differentiation 69 (CD69) in ConA/TCR stimulated T cells and secretion of cytokines like tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferon γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin 2 (IL-2) suggesting that endogenous activity of TRPA1 may be involved in T-cell activation. Collectively these results may have implication in T cell-mediated responses and indicate possible role of TRPA1 in immunological disorders.
A major limitation in the bio-medical sector is the availability of materials suitable for bone tissue engineering using stem cells and methodology converting the stochastic biological events towards definitive as well as efficient bio-mineralization. We show that osteoblasts and Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Pools (BM-MSCP) express TRPM8, a Ca2+-ion channel critical for bone-mineralization. TRPM8 inhibition triggers up-regulation of key osteogenesis factors; and increases mineralization by osteoblasts. We utilized CMT:HEMA, a carbohydrate polymer-based hydrogel that has nanofiber-like structure suitable for optimum delivery of TRPM8-specific activators or inhibitors. This hydrogel is ideal for proper adhesion, growth, and differentiation of osteoblast cell lines, primary osteoblasts, and BM-MSCP. CMT:HEMA coated with AMTB (TRPM8 inhibitor) induces differentiation of BM-MSCP into osteoblasts and subsequent mineralization in a dose-dependent manner. Prolonged and optimum inhibition of TRPM8 by AMTB released from the gels results in upregulation of osteogenic markers. We propose that AMTB-coated CMT:HEMA can be used as a tunable surface for bone tissue engineering. These findings may have broad implications in different bio-medical sectors.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.