Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Mar 9;22(5):2783. doi: 10.3390/ijms22052783.
Particulate matter (PM) is constituted by particles with sizes in the nanometer to micrometer scales. PM can be generated from natural sources such as sandstorms and wildfires, and from human activities, including combustion of fuels, manufacturing and construction or specially engineered for applications in biotechnology, food industry, cosmetics, electronics, etc. Due to their small size PM can penetrate biological tissues, interact with cellular components and induce noxious effects such as disruptions of the cytoskeleton and membranes and the generation of reactive oxygen species. Here, we provide an overview on the actions of PM on transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins, a superfamily of cation-permeable channels with crucial roles in cell signaling. Their expression in epithelial cells and sensory innervation and their high sensitivity to chemical, thermal and mechanical stimuli makes TRP channels prime targets in the major entry routes of noxious PM, which may result in respiratory, metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. On the other hand, the interactions between TRP channel and engineered nanoparticles may be used for targeted drug delivery. We emphasize in that much further research is required to fully characterize the mechanisms underlying PM-TRP channel interactions and their relevance for PM toxicology and biomedical applications.
颗粒物（PM）由纳米到微米尺度的颗粒组成。PM 可以来源于自然源，如沙尘暴和野火，也可以来源于人类活动，包括燃料燃烧、制造和建筑，或特别设计用于生物技术、食品工业、化妆品、电子等领域的应用。由于其体积小，PM 可以穿透生物组织，与细胞成分相互作用，并产生有害影响，如细胞骨架和膜的破坏以及活性氧物质的生成。在这里，我们概述了颗粒物对瞬时受体电位（TRP）蛋白的作用，TRP 蛋白是阳离子渗透性通道的超家族，在细胞信号转导中起着至关重要的作用。它们在上皮细胞和感觉神经支配中的表达，以及对化学、热和机械刺激的高度敏感性，使 TRP 通道成为有害 PM 主要进入途径的主要靶点，这可能导致呼吸、代谢和心血管疾病。另一方面，TRP 通道与工程纳米颗粒之间的相互作用可用于靶向药物输送。我们强调，需要进一步研究以充分表征 PM-TRP 通道相互作用的机制及其与 PM 毒理学和生物医学应用的相关性。
