title: Transient receptor potentials (TRPs) and anaphylaxis.
abstract: The transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily consists of 28 members in mammals (27 in human) that act as polymodal sensors and ion channels. They regulate cellular calcium influx, generate depolarization thereby triggering voltage dependent cellular processes, and in turn they are critical in inducing the metabolic activities of cells. It is increasingly apparent that many of the inflammatory mediators released in allergic reactions involve at least two of these ion channels, the 'Vanilloid' TRPV1 and the 'Ankyrin" TRPA1. This review mainly focuses on TRPV1 and TRPA1 and the role they have in the allergic response and how these receptors may be influenced in exercise-induced anaphylaxis. The threshold to react to an allergen for mast cells and lymphocytes can be reduced by activating the melastatin channel TRPM4. This channel is briefly discussed in the context of allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Griffith University, Postal Address 5/123 Nerang St, Southport, Queensland 4215, Australia. pksm@mac.com
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nilius
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D000074025:TRPA1 Cation Channel; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000074025:TRPA1 Cation Channel; C473350:TRPA1 protein, human; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels; C494482:TRPV1 protein, human; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels