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Evidence for the involvement of peripheral cold-sensitive TRPM8 channels in human cutaneous hygrosensation
journal contribution
posted on 2020-01-27, 09:38 authored by Oliver Typolt, Davide FilingeriIn contrast with other species, humans are believed to lack hygroreceptors for sensing skin wetness. Yet, the molecular basis of human hygrosensation are currently unknown and it remains unclear whether we possess a receptor-mediated sensing mechanism for skin wetness. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the cutaneous cold-sensitive Transient Receptor Potential Melatstatin-8 (TRPM8) channel as a molecular mediator of human hygrosensation. To this end, we exploited both the thermal and chemical activation of TRPM8-expressing cutaneous Aδ cold thermoreceptors and we assessed wetness sensing in healthy young males in response to 1) dry skin cooling in the TRPM8-range of thermosensitivity; 2) application of TRPM8-agonist menthol. Our results indicated that: 1) independently of contact with moisture, a cold-dry stimulus in the TRPM8-range of activation induced wetness perceptions across 12 different body regions, and those wetness perceptions varied across the body following regional differences in cold sensitivity; 2) independently of skin cooling, menthol-induced stimulation of TRPM8 triggered wetness perceptions that were greater than those induced by physical dry cooling and by contact with an aqueous cream containing actual moisture. For the first time, we show that the cutaneous cold-sensing TRPM8 channel plays the dual role of cold and wetness sensor in human skin and that this ion channel is a peripheral mediator of human skin wetness perception.
History
Published in
American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative PhysiologyVolume
318Issue
3Pages
R579-R589Publisher
American Physiological SocietyVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Rights holder
© American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative PhysiologyPublisher statement
This paper was accepted for publication in the journal American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology and the definitive published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00332.2019.Acceptance date
2020-01-17Publication date
2020-03-04Copyright date
2020ISSN
0363-6119eISSN
1522-1490Publisher version
Language
- en
Depositor
Dr Davide Filingeri. Deposit date: 23 January 2020Usage metrics
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