Correlation of cation channel TRPM8 gene expression with cold-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma patients

TRPM8 cold receptors are widely expressed in the human respiratory tract and are able to mediate inflammatory and secretory response upon cooling. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of TRPM8 at mRNA level in nasal epithelium of asthma patients with cold-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (CAH). The study involved 54 people, including 36 patients with asthma and 18 patients with chronic bronchitis. All the patients underwent 3-minute isocapnic cold air hyperventilation (ICAH) through the mouth and through the nose. Expression was studied by quantitative PCR with reverse transcription in the brush-biopsy specimens obtained before and after the nasal ICAH. It was established that the basal expression of TRPM8 is increased in smokers, however, it is not associated with lung function in asthma patients. CAH is accompanied by 3.3-fold increase in TRPM8 expression of (p=0.03). In addition, the basal level of expression is inversely correlated with the degree of lung function decrease in response to the oral ICAH both among asthma patients (ΔFEV₁ p =-0.37, p=0.02) and in the general group (ΔFEV₁ p=-0.33, p=0.01). Apparently, the effect of cold in vivo causes an adaptive response decreasing the transcription of TRPM8, which is especially well observed in patients with moderate persistent asthma (3.2-fold decrease, p=0.02). Further assessment of the diagnostic and prognostic potential of TRPM8 expression level in the evaluation of CAH development is necessary in patients with chronic obstructive lung pathology.

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