Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1-4 (TRPV1-4) expression and functionality were investigated in brain microvessel endothelial cells (BMEC) forming the blood–brain barrier (BBB) from rat and human origins. In rat, Trpv1-4 were detected by qRT-PCR in the brain cortex, brain microvessels, and in primary cultures of brain microvessel endothelial cells [rat brain microvessel endothelial cells (rPBMEC)]. A similar
Trpv1-4
expression profile in isolated brain microvessels and rPBMEC was found with the following order:
Trpv4
>
Trpv2
>
Trpv3
>
Trpv1
. In human, TRPV1-4 were detected in the BBB cell line human cerebral microvessel endothelial cells D3 cells (hCMEC/D3) and in primary cultures of BMEC isolated from human adult and children brain resections [human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hPBMEC)], showing a similar
TRPV1-4
expression profile in both hCMEC/D3 cells and hPBMECs as follow:
TRPV2
> >
TRPV4
>
TRPV1
>
TRPV3
. Western blotting and immunofluorescence experiments confirmed that TRPV2 and TRPV4 are the most expressed TRPV isoforms in hCMEC/D3 cells with a clear staining at the plasma membrane. A fluorescent dye Fluo-4 AM ester was applied to record intracellular Ca
2+
levels. TRPV4 functional activity was demonstrated in mediating Ca
2+
influx under stimulation with the specific agonist GSK1016790A (ranging from 3 to 1000 nM, EC
50
of 16.2 ± 4.5 nM), which was inhibited by the specific TRPV4 antagonist, RN1734 (30 μM). In contrast, TRPV1 was slightly activated in hCMEC/D3 cells as shown by the weak Ca
2+
influx induced by capsaicin at a high concentration (3 μM), a highly potent and specific TRPV1 agonist. Heat-induced Ca
2+
influx was not altered by co-treatment with a selective potent TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine (20 μM), in agreement with the low expression of
TRPV1
as assessed by qRT-PCR. Our present study reveals an interspecies difference between Rat and Human. Functional contributions of TRPV1-4 subtype expression were not identical in rat and human tissues reflective of BBB integrity. TRPV2 was predominant in the human whereas TRPV4 had a larger role in the rat. This interspecies difference from a gene expression point of view should be taken into consideration when modulators of TRPV2 or TRPV4 are investigated in rat models of brain disorders.