Title:TRP Channels: New Potential Therapeutic Approaches in CNS Neuropathies
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Author(s): Maria Beatrice Morelli, Consuelo Amantini, Sonia Liberati, Matteo Santoni and Massimo Nabissi
Affiliation:
Keywords:
TRP channel, neurological disorders, epilepsy, Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer disease,
Charcot-Marie-tooth disease.
Abstract: More than 30 different Transient Receptor Potential channels (TRP) have been identified in mammals and are
grouped in 6 families. Members of these subunit families, specifically of the vanilloid TRP (TRPV), melastatin TRP
(TRPM), ankyrin TRP (TRPA), polycystin TRP (TRPP) and canonical or classical TRP (TRPC) family, are considered
relevant in central nervous system neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, TRP channels have received increased attention in
recent years, since they are involved in a broad array of pathways and respond to different environmental stimuli.
Preclinical research has identified TRPs involved in hereditary neuropathies as well as in a heterogeneous group of
neuronal disorders. Moreover, changes in TRP channel expression and functionality have been associated to diabetic
thermal hyperalgesia, painful neuropathies and headache. At the molecular level, TRPs are involved in a wide range of
mechanisms regulating osmosis, thermal, stretch, chemical and sensory signaling, highlighting TRPs as potential targets
for pharmacological intervention. The area of small molecule TRP agonists/antagonists drug development is moving
rapidly. This review will evaluate current evidence that supports particular TRP channels as targets for novel drugs,
summarizing the current perspectives for the therapeutic potential of TRP agonists and antagonists in the treatment of a
wide range of neuropathies, along with potential adverse effects that may limit drug development.
