Center for Human Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah

Transient receptor potential ion channels in air pollutant -induced airway epithelial cell-associated inflammation and acute cytotoxicity

Abstract:

Inhaled pollutants interact with the lung epithelium in various ways; through the release of chemical/elemental components into the mucous layer, via direct contact of insoluble materials at the cell membrane, or via absorption/internalization and subsequent degradation. Pollutants of various nature trigger pro-inflammatory processes and cell damage in a dose-dependent manner, and both short- and long-term exposures have consequences with respect to human health. However, the mechanisms by which air pollutants trigger inflammation and damage, and ultimately affect human health, can differ depending upon the nature of the pollutant and the specific cell types that they interact with. This presentation will provide a concise review highlighting the roles that several transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels play in the differential detection of inhaled pollutants, and in regulating pro-inflammatory signaling, cell damage and repair processes in lung epithelial cells. Specific findings related to the roles of TRPV1 and TRPM8 in the detection of insoluble coal ash particles, as well as TRPA1 and TRPV3 in regulating cytotoxicity, compensation, and repair in response to combustion-generated particles (i.e., diesel and wood smoke particulates) will be described.

Biography:

Dr. Reilly is a Professor and Director of the Center for Human Toxicology (CHT) in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Utah.  His research focuses on elucidating biochemical mechanisms by which chemicals/xenobiotics interact with and affect, in beneficial and adverse ways, humans. Dr. Reilly’s research program has four topical areas: 1) the role of transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels in pulmonary physiology and environmental lung diseases such as asthma and COPD; 2) the role of cytochrome P450 enzymes in regulating the toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of xenobiotics; 3) drug discovery, specifically focusing on TRP modulators to manage inflammation, pain, respiratory and other diseases; and 4) bioanalytical sciences, utilizing mass spectrometry to characterize chemicals and chemical exposures in biological samples (as Director of the CHT).

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