TRP Expression and Function in the Lung Airways

The airways of the lungs are composed of the epithelium, smooth muscle cells, and sensory nerve cells as well as resident immune cells. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are expressed in all of these tissues and cells and there is increasing evidence that they play a key role in respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This chapter focuses on what is currently known about TRP expression and function in lung airways by studying specific channel blockers as well as TRP-deficient mouse models. Targeting selected TRP functions may have important therapeutic benefits for respiratory diseases in the future.