TRPM8 ion channel in neuro-immune regulation of antigen binding function of spleen cells

Ion channels, localized in cells with different specialization, may participate in the performance of various functions. In the experiments on rats, quantitative PCR has shown that spleen cells express the genes of thermosensitive TRP ion channels (TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPM8, and TRPA1). Experiments in vitro with the addition of an agonist of the TRPM8 ion channel menthol (10 -5 M and 10 -8 M) to the incubation medium indicate the presence of the TRPM8 on immune cells, and its stimulatory effect on the antigen binding, the number of rosette-forming cells doubles under the influence of menthol at concentration of 10 -8 M. Stimulation of the TRPM8 ion channel localized in the skin nerve afferents by menthol (1% L-menthol) also has a stimulating effect on the antigen-binding function of spleen cells without interfering with the additional stimulation of this function when exposed to the TRPM8 agonist directly on spleen cells. The obtained results testify to the important role of the TRPM8 ion channel of different localization (in spleen cells and in the peripheral sensory neurons) in the regulation of the antigen binding function in the spleen. This indicates new moments of the neuro-immune interaction.