P04 - TRPM2 and TRPV4 channels in endothelial and epithelial signal transduction cascades after acute lung injury
Members of the superfamily of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels serve as direct or indirect cellular sensors after toxic lung damage from the inner vascular or outer airway site.
In our project 04 we will analyze the function of the endothelial TRPM2 and the epithelial TRPV4 channel in toxicant sensing using TRP-deficient mouse models and cellular as well as molecular approaches (e.g. isolated perfused mouse lung, electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS), Ca2+ imaging, up- and downregulation of cellular proteins by recombinant lentiviral vectors).
Recently identified specific modulators of these channels and their potential as new therapeutic options for preventing toxic lung damage will also be evaluated.