Role of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channels in visceral nociception and hypersensitivity

• We hypothesized that TRPM2 plays an important role in visceral hypersensitivity.
• TRPM2 are expressed in enteric nervous system and dorsal root ganglion.
• Expression of TRPM2 in the distal colon was increased in a colitis model rat.
• TRPM2 inhibitor reversed TNBS-induced visceral hypersensitivity to control levels.
• TRPM2-deficient mice attenuated TNBS-induced visceral hypersensitivity.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a thermosensitive, Ca2 +-permeable cation channel. TRPM2 contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, and inflammatory and neuropathic pain. We hypothesized that TRPM2 is important for visceral nociception and the development of visceral hypersensitivity. Therefore, we investigated the expression of TRPM2 channels and their involvement in visceral nociception in normal physiology and under pathological conditions that cause visceral hypersensitivity in rats. TRPM2 immunoreactivities were detected in the mucosa and muscle layer of the rat gastrointestinal tract. TRPM2 immunopositive cell bodies were almost completely co-localized with calretinin- and NeuN-positive cells in the myenteric plexus. We found that the majority of the TRPM2-immunoreactive cells were double-labeled with the retrograde marker fluorogold in lumbar 6/sacral 1 dorsal root ganglia (DRG), indicating that TRPM2 is expressed in spinal primary afferents innervating the distal colon. Subtypes of TRPM2-immunopositive DRG neurons were labeled by the A-fiber marker NF200, the C-fiber marker IB4, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, or P2X3 receptor. We found that oral administration of the TRPM2 inhibitor econazole (30 mg/kg) reduced the visceromotor response (VMR) to noxious colorectal distention (CRD) at 80 mm Hg in control rats. Expression of TRPM2 in the mucosa of the distal colon was increased in a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis model. The VMR to CRD significantly increased in colitis model rats compared with control rats at 40, 60, and 80 mm Hg. Econazole restored visceral hypersensitivity to the control level. Furthermore, TRPM2-deficient mice showed significantly attenuated trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced visceral hypersensitivity compared with wild-type mice. In conclusion, TRPM2 channels contribute to visceral nociception in response to noxious stimuli under normal conditions and visceral hypersensitivity in pathological conditions.