ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Transient receptor potential protein channel is distributed in many kinds of tissue and cells in human body, and takes part in many physiologic functions and pathological changes of human body. However, up to now, transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) has not been reported in human cartilage. OBJECTIVE:To study the expression of TRPM8, a subfamily member of transient receptor potential gene, in human knee joint cartilage. METHODS:Fifteen samples were selected from patients after amputatioin due to severe trauma. Total protein was extracted from 300 mg cartilage tissue of every patient. To detect the distribution of TRPM8 in human cartilage, cartilage sections were col ected in the same region. The expression and distribution of TRPM8 in human cartilage was detected by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Western blot analysis showed that specific TRPM8 band was visible at molecular weight of 130 000, and as the age increased, TRPM8 expression in human cartilage was gradual y decreased. Immunofluorescence staining results showed that TRPM8 was evenly located in the cellmembrane of chondrocytes. TRPM8 is expressed in the human knee cartilage, specifical y in member of chondrocytes.