Vanilloid Receptor Pathways

Abstract

Capsaicin receptor, TRPV1, is a nociceptor‐specific ion channel that can be activated not only by capsaicin but also by noxious heat (with a thermal threshold >43°) or protons (acidification), all of which are known to cause pain in vivo. The studies using TRPV1‐deficient mice have shown that TRPV1 is essential for selective modalities of pain sensation and for thermal hyperalgesia induced by tissue injury. Sensitization of TRPV1 through its phosphorylation revealed the involvement of TRPV1 in inflammatory pain. Given the fact that TRPV1 is a key molecule in peripheral nociception, modulation of TRPV1 function will lead to the development of novel anti‐nociceptive or anti‐inflammatory agents.