Disease-Related Changes in TRPV1 Expression and Its Implications for Drug Development

The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1) channel has been a topic of great interest, since its discovery in 1997. It is a homotetrameric non-selective cation channel predominantly expressed in a population of sensory neurons and its involvement in different modalities of pain has been extensively studied. However, TRPV1 has also been shown to be expressed in non-sensory neurons and non-neuronal cells. TRPV1 is considered as a potential target for drug development, based on its tissue distribution and its role in physiological functions. Here, we summarize the evidences for disease-related alterations in TRPV1 expression and function and review the current perspectives for the therapeutic potential of TRPV1 agonists and antagonists in the treatment of a wide range of diseases.