TRPV4 Contributes to Resting Membrane Potential in Retinal Müller Cells: Implications in Cell Volume Regulation

Abstract

Neural activity alters osmotic gradients favoring cell swelling in retinal Müller cells. This swelling is followed by a regulatory volume decrease (RVD), partially mediated by an efflux of KCl and water. The transient receptor potential channel 4 (TRPV4), a nonselective calcium channel, has been proposed as a candidate for mediating intracellular Ca2+ elevation induced by swelling. We previously demonstrated in a human Müller cell line (MIO-M1) that RVD strongly depends on ion channel activation and, consequently, on membrane potential (Vm ). The aim of this study was to investigate if Ca2+ influx via TRPV4 contributes to RVD by modifying intracellular Ca2+ concentration and/or modulating Vm in MIO-M1 cells. Cell volume, intracellular Ca2+ levels, and Vm changes were evaluated using fluorescent probes. Results showed that MIO-M1 cells express functional TRPV4 which determines the resting Vmassociated with K+ channels. Swelling-induced increases in Ca2+ levels was due to both Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and Ca2+ influx by a pathway alternative to TRPV4. TRPV4 blockage affected swelling-induced biphasic response (depolarization-repolarization), suggesting its participation in modulating Vm changes during RVD. Agonist stimulation of Ca2+ influx via TRPV4 activated K+ channels hyperpolarizing Vm and accelerating RVD. We propose that TRPV4 forms a signaling complex with Ca2+ and/or voltage-dependent K+ channels to define resting Vm and Vm changes during RVD. TRPV4 involvement in RVD depends on the type of stimuli and/or degree of channel activation, leading to a maximum RVD response when Ca2+ influx overcomes a threshold and activates further signaling pathways in cell volume regulation.