Increased Transient Receptor Potential Channel TRPC3 Expression in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Background Disturbances in the regulation of cytosolic calcium concentration have been attributed to primary hypertension, but the role of calcium-permeable transient receptor potential canonical channel 3 (TRPC3) has not yet been evaluated in primary hypertension. Methods Expression of TRPC3 was determined using in-cell Western assay. Evaluation of RNA interference for the downregulation of a specific gene in cells by small interfering RNA was performed. Measurements of cytosolic calcium were carried out using the fluorescent dye fura2. Results Expression of TRPC3 was significantly increased in monocytes from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Transplasmamembrane calcium influx and thapsigargin-induced sustained calcium increase were significantly higher in SHR compared with WKY. In the presence of the TRP channel blocker SKF-96365 these differences were no longer observed. Specific TRPC3-knockdown by transfection of monocytes from SHR with small interfering RNA significantly reduced TRPC3 expression, trans–plasma membrane calcium influx, and thapsigargin-induced sustained calcium increase. Conclusions This study shows, for the first time, increased TRPC3 channel expression and increased TRPC3-related calcium influx in SHR.