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Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a Ca²⁺‐permeable channel that can be gated by tonicity (osmolarity) and mechanical stimuli. Chondrocytes, the cells in cartilage, respond to their osmotic and mechanical environments; however, the molecular basis of this signal transduction is not fully understood. This study was undertaken to demonstrate the presence and functionality of TRPV4 in chondrocytes.

TRPV4 protein expression was measured by immunolabeling and Western blotting. In response to TRPV4 agonist/antagonists, osmotic stress, and interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), changes in Ca²⁺ signaling, cell volume, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production were measured in porcine chondrocytes using fluorescence microscopy, light microscopy, or immunoassay, respectively.

TRPV4 was expressed abundantly at the RNA and protein levels. Exposure to 4α‐phorbol 12,13 …