TRPV4 and Hypertension: The decreased channel activity is proposed to contribute to the increased vascular resistance that leads to elevated blood pressure since channel activity was associated with vasodilation.23–25 However, in animals in which the channel has been knocked out, blood pressure may, paradoxically, be lower than controls.28 In other studies, rather than being decreased, TRPV4 expression and channel activity may be increased in hypertension.