Publications by authors named "Kerstin Hill"

Background And Purpose: In macrophages, transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) channel contributes to various cellular processes such as cytokine production, differentiation, phagocytosis and migration. Due to a lack of selective pharmacological tools, its function in immunological processes is not well understood and the identification of novel and selective TRPV2 modulators is highly desirable.

Experimental Approach: Novel and selective TRPV2 modulators were identified by screening a compound library using Ca influx assays with human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells heterologously expressing rat TRPV2.

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  • TRPM6 and TRPM7 are membrane proteins that function as cation channels and have potential roles in treating immune, cardiovascular, and tumor-related disorders.
  • Recent studies discovered small synthetic molecules that can specifically inhibit the activity of these channels.
  • Iloperidone and ifenprodil were shown to selectively inhibit TRPM6, while VER155008 selectively affected TRPM7, providing tools to manipulate TRPM6 and TRPM7 currents in lab models.
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  • The TRPV3 channel is important for skin functions like cell growth, healing, and barrier formation, but effective drugs to study it are limited.
  • Researchers screened a compound library and found KS0365, a potent activator of TRPV3, which was tested in various assays to evaluate its effects.
  • KS0365 significantly activated TRPV3 and enhanced keratinocyte migration in response to EGF, suggesting that it could help in skin healing by promoting cell movement during wound recovery.
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The transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) channel is broadly expressed in a multitude of different tissues and is implicated in the pathology of several diseases, such as the progression of different cancer types. However, a lack of specific, potent and non-toxic TRPV2 activators and inhibitors complicate further studies to clarify the role of TRPV2. We here present valdecoxib as a novel inhibitor of heterologously expressed rat TRPV2 channels in HEK293 cells and native TRPV2 channels, endogenously expressed in the rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cell line.

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TRPV3 is a Ca-permeable cation channel, prominently expressed by keratinocytes where it contributes to maintaining the skin barrier, skin regeneration, and keratinocyte differentiation. However, much less is known about its physiological function in other tissues and there is still a need for identifying novel and efficient TRPV3 channel blockers. By screening a compound library, we identified 26E01 as a novel TRPV3 blocker.

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The transient receptor potential canonical channel 5 (TRPC5) is a Ca-permeable ion channel, which is predominantly expressed in the brain. TRPC5-deficient mice exhibit a reduced innate fear response and impaired motor control. In addition, outgrowth of hippocampal and cerebellar neurons is retarded by TRPC5.

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  • Phospholipids in cell membranes can become oxidized (OxPL) due to oxidative stress, which is linked to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and inflammation.
  • Oxidized phospholipids like OxPAPC were found to activate pain pathways in inflamed tissues, causing increased pain sensitivity and the release of pain-related peptides.
  • Treatments involving specific antibodies or peptides that target OxPAPC have shown promise in reducing pain and inflammation in preclinical models, suggesting new therapeutic avenues for inflammatory pain management.
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  • The TRPV3 channel is a heat-sensitive ion channel primarily found in skin cells, playing a role in pain, temperature perception, and itch, but its functions are not well understood.
  • Research identified new compounds that enhance TRPV3 activity, particularly the COX-2 inhibitors celecoxib and deracoxib, which interact directly with the channel, showing varying effects based on the activation stimulus.
  • Celecoxib, an established pain relief medication, may provide therapeutic benefits for skin conditions due to its modulation of TRPV3 when applied topically at high concentrations.
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The analysis of receptor activity, especially in its native cellular environment, has always been of great interest to evaluate its intrinsic but also downstream biological activity. An important group of cellular receptors are ion channels. Since they are involved in a broad range of crucial cell functions, they represent important therapeutic targets.

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A series of seven oxyprenylated phenylpropanoids and naphthoquinones were tested regarding their ability to activate transient receptor potential ankyrin subtype 1 channel (TRPA1). Three of the assayed compounds, namely, boropinal (3), juglone (5), and plumbagin (7), acted as strong modulators of TRPA1 channels with EC50 values of 9.8, 1.

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Canonical transient receptor potential channel 5 (TRPC5) is a nonselective, Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel that belongs to the large family of transient receptor potential channels. It is predominantly found in the central nervous system with a high expression density in the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the frontal cortex. Several studies confirm that TRPC5 channels are implicated in the regulation of neurite length and growth cone morphology.

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  • TRPA1 is a receptor found in various parts of the body, including the nervous system and digestive organs.
  • The study examined the effects of platelet aggregation inhibitors (ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and prasugrel) on TRPA1, finding that ticlopidine and clopidogrel directly activate the receptor.
  • Activation of TRPA1 by ticlopidine and clopidogrel enhances serotonin release, potentially explaining gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and vomiting commonly reported by users of these drugs.
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  • TRPC5 is a calcium-permeable channel found mainly in the brain, and its function is not well understood, although it has been shown to be activated by various modulators.
  • Researchers identified Riluzole as a novel TRPC5 activator through drug screening, demonstrating that it activates the channel independently of G protein signaling and phospholipase C activity.
  • Riluzole specifically activates TRPC5 without affecting other TRPC family members, making it a potential tool for studying TRPC5 currents in different cell types.
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Apomorphine is a non-narcotic derivative of morphine, which acts as a dopamine agonist and is clinically used to treat "off-states" in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. Adverse effects of apomorphine treatment include severe emesis and nausea, and ulceration and pain at the injection site. We wanted to test whether sensory transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are a molecular target for apomorphine.

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  • Melanoma is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer with increasing cases, especially among Caucasians, and is resistant to standard treatments.
  • Phytochemicals like allyl isothiocyanate and cinnamaldehyde have shown promise in reducing melanoma cell growth in lab studies, although their effects are not linked to the activation of TRPA1 channels in those cells.
  • The presence of TRPA1 channels was confirmed in several melanoma cell lines, but the anti-tumor activity of these phytochemicals appears to work through different mechanisms rather than through TRPA1 channel activation.
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The Ca(2+)-permeable, nonselective cation channel TRPC6 is gated via phospholipase C-activating receptors and has recently been implicated in hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), idiopathic pulmonary hypertension and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Therefore, TRPC6 is a promising target for pharmacological interference. To identify and develop TRPC6-blocking compounds, we screened the Chembionet library, a collection of 16,671 chemically diverse drug-like compounds, for biological activity to prevent the 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-triggered Ca(2+) influx in a stably transfected HEK(TRPC6-YFP) cell line.

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Endocannabinoids exert numerous effects in the CNS under physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of the present study was to examine whether the endocannabinoid N-arachidonoyldopamine (NADA) may protect neurons in excitotoxically lesioned organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC). OHSC were excitotoxically lesioned by application of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA, 50 μM) for 4 h and subsequently treated with different NADA concentrations (0.

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SNARE-mediated exocytosis is a multistage process central to synaptic transmission and hormone release. Complexins (CPXs) are small proteins that bind very rapidly and with a high affinity to the SNARE core complex, where they have been proposed recently to inhibit exocytosis by clamping the complex and inhibiting membrane fusion. However, several other studies also suggest that CPXs are positive regulators of neurotransmitter release.

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The protective epithelial barrier in our skin undergoes constant regulation, whereby the balance between differentiation and proliferation of keratinocytes plays a major role. Impaired keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation are key elements in the pathophysiology of several important dermatological diseases, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Ca(2+) influx plays an essential role in this process presumably mediated by different transient receptor potential (TRP) channels.

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TRPA1, a Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel that is expressed in sensory neurones, is involved in the perception of chemical irritants and mechanical hyperalgesia. TRPA1 is activated by either covalent or reversible binding of various chemical compounds, including allylisothiocyanate or acrolein, and is further sensitised by increases in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. We here demonstrate that TRPA1 confers a sensitivity towards near ultraviolet (UVA) light, which rapidly causes Ca(2+) entry.

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TRPA1, a poorly selective Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel, is expressed in peripheral sensory neurons, where it is considered to contribute to a variety of sensory processes such as the detection of painful stimuli. Furthermore, TRPA1 was also identified in hair cells of the inner ear, but its involvement in sensing mechanical forces is still being controversially discussed. Amphipathic molecules such as trinitrophenol and chlorpromazine have been shown to provide useful tools to study mechanosensitive channels.

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TRPV4 is a widely expressed member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family that facilitates Ca(2+) entry into nonexcitable cells. TRPV4 is activated by several stimuli, but it is largely unknown how the activity of this channel is terminated. Here, we show that ubiquitination represents an important mechanism to control the presence of TRPV4 at the plasma membrane.

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We report the detailed expression profile of TRPM2 mRNA within the human central nervous system (CNS) and demonstrate increased TRPM2 mRNA expression at 1 and 4 weeks following ischemic injury in the rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) stroke model. Microglial cells play a key role in pathology produced following ischemic injury in the CNS and possess TRPM2, which may contribute to stroke-related pathological responses. We show that TRPM2 mRNA is present in the human C13 microglial cell line and is reduced by antisense treatment.

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TRPM2, a member of the TRP ion channel family, is expressed both in the brain and immune cells of the monocyte lineage. Functionally, it is unique in its activation by intracellular ADP-ribose and both oxidative and nitrosative stress. To date studies of this channel have concentrated on human recombinant channels and rodent native preparations.

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Tom40 is the central pore-forming component of the translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM complex). Different views exist about the secondary structure and electrophysiological characteristics of Tom40 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Neurospora crassa. We have directly compared expressed and renatured Tom40 from both species and find a high content of beta-structure in circular dichroism measurements in agreement with refined secondary structure predictions.

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