TRP channels are a large family (about 28 genes) of plasma membrane, non-selective cationic channels that are either specifically or ubiquitously expressed in excitable and non-excitable cells.¹ The TRP channels have six putative transmembrane domains (TM) with a pore domain between the fifth and the sixth TM, and all assemble as tetramers. Both the N- and the C-termini of all TRPs are intracellular³.

According to IUPHAR, the TRP family is comprised of numerous subfamilies on the basis of sequence homology; TRPC, TRPM, TRPV, TRPA, TRPML, and TRPP^1-4. The TRPV subfamily consists of six members, TRPV1-6⁵.

Four members of the TRPV family have been described as thermosensitive ion channels (TRPV1 to TRPV4). Each channel exhibits distinct thermal activation thresholds ranging from noxious cold (<17°C) to noxious heat (>52°C) ^6,7. Although it shares around 50% homology with TRPV1, TRPV2 is not activated by capsaicin nor by protons. It has a high temperature threshold of ~52°C and is considered to play an essential role in the perception of high-intensity noxious heat stimulation^8-10. TRPV2 is also considered to be a stretch-activated channel and to play a role in skeletal and cardiac muscle degeneration and pain pathway⁸. The TRPV2 channel is expressed in DRG neurons, different brain regions and non-neuronal tissues such as the spleen, lung and intestine and in components of the immune system^5,11,12.