TRPV4, a Regulatory Channel in the Production of Cerebrospinal Fluid by the Choroid Plexus

Transient receptor potential, vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel is an osmo- and mechano-sensitive nonselective cation channel expressed throughout the body. TRPV4 is activated and regulated by a wide variety of endogenous and exogenous stimuli. In addition to its relatively ubiquitous distribution and regulation by diverse stimuli including pressure, pH, inflammation, cell swelling and cytokines, TRPV4 appears to be a hub protein in many signaling cascades integrating input from multiple receptors and kinases. TRPV4 is present in the apical membrane of choroid plexus epithelial cells and emerging studies have linked this channel with changes in transepithelial ion and water flux.