Osmotically Sensitive TREK Channels in Rat Articular Chondrocytes: Expression and Functional Role

Articular chondrocytes are the primary cells responsible for maintaining the integrity and functionality of articular cartilage, which is essential for smooth joint movement. A key aspect of their role involves mechanosensitive ion channels, which allow chondrocytes to detect and respond to mechanic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular sciences 2024-07, Vol.25 (14), p.7848
Main Authors: Ponce, Arturo, Ogazon Del Toro, Alejandro, Jimenez, Lidia, Roldan, Maria Luisa, Shoshani, Liora
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibodies
Arachidonic acid
Arthritis
articular cartilage
Brain
Cartilage
Extracellular matrix
Immunohistochemistry
mechanosensitive channels
Molecular weight
osmosensitive channels
Osteoarthritis
osteoarthrosis
Potassium
Proteins
Smith, R. Lane
two-pore K channels
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Summary:Articular chondrocytes are the primary cells responsible for maintaining the integrity and functionality of articular cartilage, which is essential for smooth joint movement. A key aspect of their role involves mechanosensitive ion channels, which allow chondrocytes to detect and respond to mechanical forces encountered during joint activity; nonetheless, the variety of mechanosensitive ion channels involved in this process has not been fully resolved so far. Because some members of the two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channel family have been described as mechanosensors in other cell types, in this study, we investigate whether articular chondrocytes express such channels. RT-PCR analysis reveals the presence of TREK-1 and TREK-2 channels in these cells. Subsequent protein expression assessments, including Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, confirm the presence of TREK-1 in articular cartilage samples. Furthermore, whole-cell patch clamp assays demonstrate that freshly isolated chondrocytes exhibit currents attributable to TREK-1 channels, as evidenced by activation by arachidonic acid (AA) and ml335 and further inhibition by spadin. Additionally, exposure to hypo-osmolar shock activates currents, which can be attributed to the presence of TREK-1 channels, as indicated by their inhibition with spadin. Therefore, these findings highlight the expression of TREK channels in rat articular chondrocytes and suggest their potential involvement in regulating the integrity of cartilage extracellular matrix.
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms25147848