Transient receptor vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels are essential for alveolar epithelial cell function

Ischemia-reperfusion(IR)-induced edema formation can be mimicked ex-vivo in isolated perfused mouse lungs (IPL). Here we show enhanced edema formation in transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4)-deficient (TRPV4-/-) IPL compared to wild-type (WT) controls in response to IR, indicating a protective role of TRPV4 to maintain the alveolar epithelial barrier. By immunohistochemistry, mRNA profiling or electrophysiological analysis we detected TRPV4 in bronchial epithelium, alveolar type I (ATI) and alveolar type II (ATII) cells. Genetic ablation of TRPV4 resulted in reduced expression of aquaporin-5 (AQP-5) channels in ATI as well as decreased production of pro surfactant protein C (pSP-C) in ATII cells. Migration of TRPV4-deficient ATI cells was reduced and cell barrier function was impaired. Moreover, adult TRPV4−/− lungs developed emphysema-like changes and altered lung parameters compared to WT lungs. Therefore, our data highlight novel essential functions of TRPV4 channels in alveolar epithelial cells and in the protection from edema formation. eLife digest Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a non-selective Ca2+ permeable cation channel expressed in lung endothelium where increased channel activity has been shown to compromise endothelial barrier function. In other tissues however, the channel maintains physiological cell barriers, e.g. in skin, the urogenital tract and the corneal epithelium. In tracheal epithelial cells TRPV4 channels regulate ciliar beat frequency and in alveolar epithelial cells TRPV4 activation by 4α-phorbol esters produced blebs and breaks in lung septa by unknown molecular mechanisms. To understand the channels role in lung function Weber et al. employed ex-vivo isolated perfused mouse lungs (IPL) to mimic ischemia-reperfusion-induced edema as one of the most common and significant causes of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation in human patients. TRPV4-deficient (TRPV4−/−) IPL developed enhanced edema formation compared to wild-type (WT) controls in response to ischemia and reperfusion, indicating a protective role of TRPV4 to maintain the alveolar epithelial barrier. TRPV4 was detected in bronchial epithelium, alveolar type I (ATI) and alveolar type II (ATII) cells by immunohistochemistry or mRNA profiling. Genetic ablation of TRPV4 resulted in reduced expression and plasma membrane insertion of water conducting aquaporin-5 (AQP-5) channels in ATI cells compared to WT mice. Analysis of isolated primary TRPV4−/− ATII cells revealed a reduced expression of pro surfactant protein-C (pSP-C) a precursor of a protein important for decreasing surface tension and for alveolar fluid homeostasis. Moreover, the TRPV4 activator GSK1016790A induced increases in current densities only in WT but not in TRPV4−/− ATII cells. On a molecular level ablation of TRPV4 induced less Ca2+-mediated nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) to the nucleus, which may be responsible for reduced expression of the identified proteins. Although the ability of TRPV4−/− ATII to differentiate to ATI cells was unchanged, migration of TRPV4-deficient ATI cells was reduced and cell barrier function was impaired. Moreover, TRPV4−/− lungs of adult mice developed significantly larger mean chord lengths and altered lung function compared to WT lungs. The findings of Weber et al. highlights novel essential functions of TRPV4 channels in alveolar epithelial cells and in the protection from edema formation.