Functional vanilloid receptors in cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes.
Vanilloid receptor subtype 1, VR1, is an ion channel that serves as a polymodal detector of pain-producing chemicals such as capsaicin and protons in primary afferent neurons. Here we showed that both capsaicin and acidification produced elevations in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes. The capsaicin- and acidification-evoked increases in [Ca(2+)](i) were inhibited by capsazepine, an antagonist to VR1. VR1-like immunoreactivity was observed in the cells. These findings suggest that functional VR1-like protein is present and functions as a sensor against noxious chemical stimuli, such as capsaicin or acidification, in epidermal keratinocytes.
Inoue
Kaori
K
Shiseido Research Center, 2-12-1 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-8643, Japan. kaori.inoue@to.shiseido.co.jp
Koizumi
Schuichi
S
Fuziwara
Shigeyoshi
S
Denda
Sumiko
S
Inoue
Kazuhide
K
Denda
Mitsuhiro
M
D000143:Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
D000143:Acids; D011955:Receptors, Drug; C071423:capsazepine; D002211:Capsaicin; D002118:Calcium