The role of adipose TRP channels in the pathogenesis of obesity.

The prevalence of obesity is continuously increasing worldwide. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels constitute a family of nonselective cation channels that are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian tissues, including adipose tissue. Although TRP channels might be regarded as therapeutic targets for obesity due to the inhibitory effects of their agonists on body weight and adiposity, the exact role of TRP channels in the development of obesity by modulating the function of adipose tissue has not been systemically reviewed. Multiple TRP channels are present in adipocytes and are involved in diverse aspects of cellular function, including differentiation and maturation of white adipose tissue (WAT), browning of WAT and thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT). Most of these functions are mediated by alterations in intracellular Ca levels or subcellular Ca signaling pathway. TRP channels influence intracellular Ca dynamics through directly mediating Ca entry (TRPVs and others) or store-operated mechanisms (TRPCs). Intracellular Ca displays a biphasic effect on regulation adipocyte behaviors depending on the differentiation stage, which may account for the different roles of individual TRP channels in regulation of adiposity. This review emphasizes the contribution of TRP channels to obesity and provide an in-depth discussion on the complexity of their mechanism of actions.