TRPC proteins have been described as non-selective cation channels and are thought to be involved in the regulation of Ca
2+ movement in various cells, including airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. In order to study the role of these channels in ASM
cells, transfection of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) designed against the TRPC6 channel was performed in guinea pig primary
ASM cells. This specific siRNA was complexed with the new X-TremeGene (X-TG) chemical transfection reagent, whose efficiency
and low cytotoxicity were determined by the use of a non-silencing rhodamine-tagged siRNA. It was found that more than 95%
of cells were transfected by an optimized protocol. Verification of TRPC6 transcript down-regulation was determined by RT-PCR
while Western blot analysis attested to lower protein content in the microsomal fraction. Micro-spectrofluorimetry measurements
of control and siRNA-treated cells revealed that lower TRPC6 expression did not affect OAG-induced intracellular Ca
2+ movement. Thus, TRPC6 channels cannot be defined as simple Ca
2+ transporters but more likely as protein complexes supporting monovalent cation conductance in ASM cells. These conductances
would in turn facilitate membrane depolarization of high input resistance cells, Ca
2+ channel activation and tone increase. In conclusion, this study defines a valuable model of RNA interference study in primary
cultures of ASM cells, eventually allowing for silencing of other target proteins for which no pharmacological modulators
are currently available.
Keywords airway smooth muscle - calcium regulation - cell culture - gene expression - siRNA - TRPC