Species-specific activation of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 by phthalic acid monoesters

Abstract

Phthalic acid (PA) diesters are widely used in consumer products, as plasticizers, and are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. There is a growing concern about their adjuvant effect on allergic diseases. Although its precise mechanism remains unknown, possible involvement of TRPA1 has been suggested. Hence, in this study, the activation of human and mouse TRPA1s by a series of PA di- and monoesters was investigated using a heterologous expression system in vitro. Consequently, it was found that monoesters activated human TRPA1, where EC₅₀ values were in the order of mono-hexyl > mono-heptyl > mono-n-octyl > mono-2-ethylhexyl > mono-isononyl and mono-isodecyl esters. Significant species differences in TRPA1 activation by PA monoesters were also discovered; PA monoesters activated human TRPA1 but not mouse TRPA1 in a concentration-dependent manner up to 50 μM. These findings suggest that PA esters may exert TRPA1-dependent adverse effects on humans, which have never been demonstrated in experimental animals.