Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Joäo de Sousa Valente
Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Brentton Barrett
Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Matthew John Smith
Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Fulye Argunhan
Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Sheng Y Lee
Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom; Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Sofya Nikitochkina
Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Xenia Kodji
Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom; Skin Research Institute, Agency of Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
Section of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Ageing is associated with increased vulnerability to environmental cold exposure. Previously, we identified the role of the cold-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) A1, M8 receptors as vascular cold sensors in mouse skin. We hypothesised that this dynamic cold-sensor system may become dysfunctional in ageing. We show that behavioural and vascular responses to skin local environmental cooling are impaired with even moderate ageing, with reduced TRPM8 gene/protein expression especially. Pharmacological blockade of the residual TRPA1/TRPM8 component substantially diminished the response in aged, compared with young mice. This implies the reliance of the already reduced cold-induced vascular response in ageing mice on remaining TRP receptor activity. Moreover, sympathetic-induced vasoconstriction was reduced with downregulation of the α2c adrenoceptor expression in ageing. The cold-induced vascular response is important for sensing cold and retaining body heat and health. These findings reveal that cold sensors, essential for this neurovascular pathway, decline as ageing onsets.
