TRPM8 is a neuronal osmosensor that regulates eye blinking in mice

Talisia Quallo, Nisha Vastani, Elisabeth Horridge, Clive Gentry, Andres Parra, Sian Moss, Felix Viana, Carlos Belmonte, David A. Andersson and Stuart Bevan ()
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Talisia Quallo: Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, King’s College London
Nisha Vastani: Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, King’s College London
Elisabeth Horridge: Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, King’s College London
Clive Gentry: Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, King’s College London
Andres Parra: Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC
Sian Moss: Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, King’s College London
Felix Viana: Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC
Carlos Belmonte: Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC
David A. Andersson: Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, King’s College London
Stuart Bevan: Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, King’s College London

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Specific peripheral sensory neurons respond to increases in extracellular osmolality but the mechanism responsible for excitation is unknown. Here we show that small increases in osmolality excite isolated mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons expressing the cold-sensitive TRPM8 channel (transient receptor potential channel, subfamily M, member 8). Hyperosmotic responses were abolished by TRPM8 antagonists, and were absent in DRG and TG neurons isolated from Trpm8−/− mice. Heterologously expressed TRPM8 was activated by increased osmolality around physiological levels and inhibited by reduced osmolality. Electrophysiological studies in a mouse corneal preparation demonstrated that osmolality regulated the electrical activity of TRPM8-expressing corneal afferent neurons. Finally, the frequency of eye blinks was reduced in Trpm8−/− compared with wild-type mice and topical administration of a TRPM8 antagonist reduced blinking in wild-type mice. Our findings identify TRPM8 as a peripheral osmosensor responsible for the regulation of normal eye-blinking in mice.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8150

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