Among the six family members, TRPV1–4 are thermosensitive, while TRPV5–6 are not sensitive to temperature
[13]. TRPV1 is activated by capsaicin and noxious temperatures (≥43 °C) and is associated with neuropathic and inflammatory pain induction
[13]. Capsaicin is the only drug approved for clinical use that binds to TRP channels (TRPV1) and can be used, as a second-line drug, for diabetic peripheral neuropathy treatment (Qutenza
®). Additionally, clinical trials have demonstrated capsaicin efficacy for post-herpetic neuralgia, post-traumatic or post-surgical nerve injury, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced neuropathy and chronic painful chemotherapy. However, capsaicin can only be used for topical application (local pharmacological action) due to the side effects, such as erythema, pruritus, reduced heat sensitivity and pain
[14]. Therefore, TRP channels still need to be investigated as new pharmacological targets to treat neuropathic pain.
In this view, TRPV4 has been widely studied and linked to many channelopathies, suggesting a broad expression pattern and versatile physiological function
[15]. The TRPV4 gene mutations have generated osteoarthropathy, skeletal dysplasia and peripheral neuropathies, manifesting as a variable combination of skeletal, motor and neuronal symptoms, including pain
[16]. Therefore, the TRPV4 channel is particularly interesting due to its involvement in neuropathic pain symptoms
[8].
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4)
The TRPV4 channel structure contains six transmembrane regions (S1–S6), similar to other TRP proteins. The intracellular N-region is linked to the S1 region and includes six ankyrin domains, a proline-rich domain and a linker domain with two β-strands
[17]. The TRP helix pore-forming loop allows the ionic flow and is located between S5 and S6 domains. Additionally, extending from the S6 transmembrane region is observed the C-terminal domain with a folding recognition domain (FRD), a TRP domain and a PDZ-binding domain
[17]. These structure characteristics are essential for assembly and localization, possibly contributing to the activation and modulation of the TRPV4 function
[18]. The X-ray crystallographic analyses identify that the symmetric tetramer architecture of TRPV4 is similar to other TRPV channels, including TRPV1, TRPV2 and TRPV6. However, the unique arrangement of the S1–S4 domain packing against the S5–S6 transmembrane domains differentiated this channel from the other TRPVs. Thus, clarifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the TRPV4 channel is fundamental to understanding channel function and designing effective therapies
[19].
The TRPV4 channel is expressed in immune cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Moreover, this channel is also expressed in sensory neurons, glial cells, the spinal cord, cortical pyramidal neurons, the thalamus, and cerebellum basal nuclei
[20]. Thus, this channel is associated with inflammatory diseases that affect the central and peripheral nervous system, such as osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, cancer pain, and neuropathies
[21].
TRPV4 can be activated by hyposmolarity, non-noxious heat (38 °C), hydrogen peroxide (H
2O
2), low pH (5.0), mechanical forces, and ultraviolet B-rays (UVB) radiation. Additionally, exogenous or endogenous chemical compounds can activate or block the TRPV4 channel. The TRPV4 endogenous agonists include arachidonic acid, 5′,6′-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (5′,6′-EET) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (
Figure 1). In addition, the exogenous agonists include x-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, bisandrographolide A, 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4α-PDD) and GSK1016790A
[17]. Although the therapeutic potential of selective TRPV4 agonists has been hypothesized, most clinical interest has concentrated on channel inhibition
[22]. In this context, TRPV4 antagonists such as HC-067047, RN-1734 and GSK2193874 have been evaluated and used in pre-clinical models to reduce nociception
[22].
Figure 1. The activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) by endogenous agonists (dimethylallyl pyrophosphate, arachidonic acid, 5′,6′-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, and hydrogen peroxide) in the dorsal spinal cord and peripheral nociceptive neurons, may cause nociception in different pain models. TRPV4 is a non-selective calcium channel that mediates calcium influx, promoting nociception transduction.
Furthermore, when TRPV4 is activated, Ca
2+ influx enhances the signaling of protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent phosphorylation. The PKC activation in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons generates TRPV4 sensitization and plays a role in nociception
[23]. Another signaling pathway that activates TRPV4 is protease activating receptor 2 (PAR2), probably by PKC and protein kinase A (PKA) activation. The PAR2 is a G protein-coupled receptor that is expressed in alveolar macrophages, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells. This receptor can modulate inflammatory responses due to pro-inflammatory cytokines production, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), which are involved in pain control
[18].
In addition, nitric oxide (NO), has been associated with mechanisms of neuropathic pain and peripheral nerve injury, possibly due to the modification of protein kinase and ion channels
[24]. The TRPV4-mediated Ca
2+ influx can activate the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-nitric oxide, which increases
nitric oxide NO(NO) release. NO can activate the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent PKA and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase G (PKG), which contribute to hyperalgesia (NO-cGMP-PKG)
[25]. This activation induces the signaling mechanism through second messengers such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and the nuclear factors kappa B (NF-κB)
[25]. This pathway activation was reported in diabetic neuropathy, paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy, and nerve injury
[26][27][28]. Therefore, a pharmacological approach that induces TRPV4 downregulation could decrease neuropathic pain due to a reduction in NO production
[25]. Then, TRPV4 activation may be mediated by direct agonist production or be sensitized by diverse mechanisms.
Recently, it has been described that the GSK2798745
(TRPV4 antagonist), a new TRPV4 antagonist, has been well-tolerated in healthy volunteers in Phase I clinical trials
[22]. Therefore, this compound administration did not induce adverse effects, suggesting that TRPV4 antagonists could be a potential therapeutic target in pain conditions, such as inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, cancer pain, and migraines. The TRPV4 expressions in the DRG, peripheral fibers, and spinal cord of healthy patients were observed by immunohistochemistry. However, in diabetic patients with neuropathy, the TRPV4 expression did not change in the skin nerve fibers. The non-increased TRPV4 expression suggests the agonist effect on constitutive receptors possibly generated neuropathic pain.
Furthermore, the TRPV4 knockout (
Trpv4−/−) mice did not show impaired heat or touch sensation. However, in inflammatory pain, mechanical allodynia, hyposmotic solution-induced nociception, edema formation and cytokine release were reduced in these animals
[29]. In addition, a fly model of neuropathy observed that mutations within the TRPV4 cause disruption of axonal interactions and dendritic degeneration
[30]. The TRPV4 role has been researched in models that induce neuropathic pain, such as trauma, surgery, chemotherapy, diabetes and alcohol intake
[31][32][33][34][35].