Unlocking the therapeutic potential of TRPV3: Insights into thermosensation, channel modulation, and skin homeostasis involving TRPV3

Abstract

Recent insights reveal the significant role of TRPV3 in warmth sensation. A novel finding elucidated how thermosensation is affected by TRPV3 membrane abundance that is modulated by the transmembrane protein TMEM79. TRPV3 is a warmth-sensitive ion channel predominantly expressed in epithelial cells, particularly skin keratinocytes. Multiple studies investigated the roles of TRPV3 in cutaneous physiology and pathophysiology. TRPV3 activation by innocuous warm temperatures in keratinocytes highlights its significance in temperature sensation, but whether TRPV3 directly contributes to warmth sensations in vivo remains controversial. This review explores the electrophysiological and structural properties of TRPV3 and how modulators affect its intricate regulatory mechanisms. Moreover, we discuss the multifaceted involvement of TRPV3 in skin physiology and pathology, including barrier formation, hair growth, inflammation, and itching. Finally, we examine the potential of TRPV3 as a therapeutic target for skin diseases and highlight its diverse role in maintaining skin homeostasis.