TRPV1 (vanilloid receptor) in the urinary tract: expression, function and clinical applications

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

António Avelino Silva (Author) FMUP; Francisco Cruz (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology

Vol. 373

Pages: 287-299

ISSN: 0028-1298

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 140 Citations

Scopus - 157 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-JZM

DOI: 10.1007/s00210-006-0073-2

Abstract (EN): The transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily 1 (TRPV1) is an ion channel activated by capsaicin, heat, protons and endogenous ligands such as anandamide. It is largely expressed in the urinary tract of mammals. Structures in which the receptor expression is firmly established include sensory fibers and urothelial cells, although the presence of TRPV1 in other cell types has been reported. As in other systems, pain perception was the first role attributed to TRPV1 in the urinary tract. However, it is now increasingly clear that TRPV1 also regulates the frequency of bladder reflex contractions, either through direct excitation of sensory fibers or through urothelial-sensory fiber cross talk involving the release of neuromediators from the epithelial cells. In addition, the recent identification of the receptor in urothelial and prostatic cancer cells raise the exciting hypothesis that TRPV1 is involved in cell differentiation. Desensitization of the receptor by capsaicin and resiniferatoxin has been investigated for therapeutic purposes. For the moment, lower urinary tract dysfunctions in which some benefit was obtained include painful bladder syndrome and overactive bladder of neurogenic and non-neurogenic origin. However, desensitization may become obsolete when non-toxic, potent TRPV1 antagonists become available.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13