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To determine whether activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV‐4) induces inflammation in the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and to assess the effects of TRPV‐4 agonists and proinflammatory mediators, such as a protease‐activated receptor 2 (PAR‐2) agonist, on TRPV‐4 responses.

Four hours after intraarticular injection of carrageenan into the rat joints, expression of TRPV‐4 and PAR‐2 in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons and in the TMJs were evaluated by real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence, followed by confocal microscopy. The functionality of TRPV‐4 and its sensitization by a PAR‐2–activating peptide (PAR‐2–AP) were analyzed by measuring the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration in TMJ fibroblast‐like synovial cells or TG neurons. Plasma extravasation, myeloperoxidase activity, and the head‐withdrawal threshold …