Peripheral inflammation induces up-regulation of TRPV2 expression in rat DRG

The transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 2 (TRPV2) is a cation channel activated by temperatures above 52 °C. To analyze the contribution of TRPV2 to the development of inflammation-induced hyperalgesia, the expression of TRPV2 in primary sensory neurons was analyzed after intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Using specific antibodies, an increase in TRPV2-expressing neurons was identified after inflammation. TRPV2 expression is concentrated in a subset of medium-sized dorsal root ganglion neurons, independent of transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1) expression. A similar distribution of TRPV2 was observed after inflammation. Intraplantar injection of nerve growth factor increased TRPV1 expression but not TRPV2, suggesting that induction of TRPV2 expression is driven by a mechanism distinct from that for TRPV1. Heat hyperalgesia assessment after chemical desensitization of TRPV1 by resiniferatoxin demonstrates a possible role for TRPV2 in inflammation at high temperatures (>56 °C). These results suggest that TRPV2 upregulation contributes to peripheral sensitization during inflammation and is responsible for pain hypersensitivity to noxious high temperature stimuli.