title: Identification of the cold receptor TRPM8 in the nasal mucosa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The transient receptor potential channel melastatin 8 (TRPM8) has been proposed to be a cold receptor. However, its distribution and physiologic role in the nose is not yet fully explored.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the expression of TRPM8 in human nasal mucosa and its function when using the TRPM8 agonist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry was used to study TRPM8 receptors in the nasal mucosa from patients with and those without allergic rhinitis (AR). By using isometric contraction studies, we also tested the effectiveness of the TRPM8 agonist menthol on nasal mucosa. Changes in nasal mucosal contractility in response to the application of the adrenergic agent methoxamine were also measured. We explored the effect of menthol on electrical field stimulation (EFS) induced nasal mucosal contractions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TRPM8 immunoreactivity was present principally in the nasal cilia, epithelium, and subepithelium around the glands. Except for nerve fibers, no obvious TRPM8-immunoreactive cells were detected in connective tissues. The immunoreactivity revealed no significant difference between patients with AR and those without AR. Adding menthol had a negligible effect on the basal tension of the nasal mucosa, but higher doses of menthol had a significant spasmolytic effect on nasal mucosa precontracted with methoxamine. Menthol inhibited the spike contraction induced by EFS, even at low doses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The finding of the TRPM8 immunoreactivity underlines the important physiologic role of the nose in temperature regulation, both in patients with allergy and those without allergy. Isometric contraction studies demonstrate the role of TRPM8 in regulating nasal patency and airway resistance. The antiadrenergic effect of menthol showed an effect apparently opposite that of clinical observations, that we usually feel decongested after menthol inhalation. The underlying mechanisms deserve further investigation, and the TRPM8 antagonists deserve consideration for treatment of rhinitis in a therapeutic trial.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shao-Cheng
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hsuan-Hsuan
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Li-Hsiang
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yueng-Hsiang
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Fei-Peng
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chi-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hsing-Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D050053:TRPM Cation Channels / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D050053:TRPM Cation Channels; C425966:TRPM8 protein, human