Involvement of TRPV4 in temperature-dependent perspiration in mice

Reports indicate that an interaction between TRPV4 and anoctamin 1 could be widely involved in water efflux of exocrine glands, suggesting that the interaction could play a role in perspiration. In secretory cells of sweat glands present in mouse foot pads, TRPV4 clearly colocalized with cytokeratin 8, anoctamin 1 (ANO1) and aquaporin-5 (AQP5). Mouse sweat glands showed TRPV4-dependent cytosolic Ca²⁺increases that was inhibited by menthol. Acetylcholine-stimulated sweating in foot pads was temperature-dependent in wild-type, but not in TRPV4-deficient mice, and was inhibited by menthol both in wild-type and TRPM8KO mice. The basal sweating without acetylcholine stimulation was inhibited by an ANO1 inhibitor. Sweating could be important for maintaining friction forces in mouse foot pads, and this possibility is supported by the finding that wild-type mice climbed up a slippery slope more easily than TRPV4-deleted mice. Furthermore, TRPV4 expression was significantly higher in controls and normohidrotic skin from patients with AIGA (acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis) compared to anhidrotic skin from patients with AIGA. Collectively, TRPV4 is likely involved in temperature-dependent perspiration via interactions with ANO1, and TRPV4 itself or the TRPV4/ANO 1 complex would be targets to develop agents that regulate perspiration.