TRP Channel Antibodies for Pain Research Explorer Kit

TRP channels represent a large protein family consisting of more than 30 known subtypes. TRP channels are involved in various biological processes such as calcium absorption, sensory transduction and pain signal pathways¹.

TRPV1 channels enable primary afferent nociceptors to detect temperature changes over a wide physiological range thus inducing pain caused by noxious heat. It has a steep temperature coefficient (Q10>) and a thermal activation threshold of 43˚C. TRPV1 knockout mice show partial deficits in acute thermal nociception. TRPV1 can also be found in unmyelinated, slow conducting neurons (C-fibers). Activation of these fibers promotes the release of complex pro-inflammatory factors that enhance the local sensitivity of sensory nerve endings to touch and heat¹.

TRPM8 is involved in cold sensation. Unlike TRPV1, TRPM8 plays a role in innocuous and noxious cold sensation. Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of TRPM8 in rodents cause hypersensitivity produced by nerve injury thus suggesting that TRPM8 plays an important role in cold associated chronic pain syndromes. TRPM and TRPV1 channels probably detect thermal stimuli by having intrinsic temperature sensitivity properties and their activation by thermal stimuli does not require other cellular proteins or secondary messengers¹.

TRPA1 plays an important role in chemonociception by serving as a detector of chemical irritants that elicit acute and inflammatory pain. TRPA1 is activated by isothiocyanates and thiosulfinates but also by other environmental substances such as acrolein and formalin. TRPA1 is expressed exclusively by peptidergic C-fibers, which initiate neurogenic inflammation through the release of substance P, neurokinin A, and CGRP¹.