The Expression Of The Trpa1 Ion Channel And Its Role In The Visual System In A Mouse Model Of Chronic Alcohol Exposure
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POCOR572 | Type: Poster | DOI: 10.82333/aqxg-bh36
Authors: Dr Dóra Werling* 1 , Dr Luka Popovic 2 , A/Prof. Balazs Gaszner 3 , Dr Viktoria Kormos 4
1Department of Ophthalmology,University of Pécs,Pécs,Hungary, 2Department of Neurology,University of Pécs,Pécs,Hungary, 3Department of Anatomy,University of Pécs,Pécs,Hungary, 4Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy,University of Pécs,Pécs,Hungary
Purpose
The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel has been associated with various ophthalmic disorders. Previous research has demonstrated that ethanol and its metabolites can activate TRPA1. We hypothesized that TRPA1 is expressed in the eye and plays a role in ocular disorders resulting from chronic alcohol consumption. The purpose of this study was to explore the expression of Trpa1 and its involvement in the visual system using a mouse model of chronic alcohol consumption.
Setting
In the laboratory of the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy.
Methods
RNAscope in situ hybridisation combined with immunostaining was utilised to detect Trpa1 mRNA in mouse eye samples from intact C57BL6/J mice. Trpa1 gene-deficient (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to a chronic continuous ethanol (20%) drinking model for a period of three months. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained eye sections were evaluated by morphometry, where we measured corneal and retinal layer thickness and cell density.
Results
Trpa1 is expressed in significant amounts in the epithelium anterius corneae and in the retinal ganglion cell layer. The thickness of the epithelium anterius corneae increased in WT animals, whereas the thickness of the inner nuclear layer, outer nuclear layer, the layer of cones and rods decreased in response to alcohol, whereas it was unchanged in KO mice. Furthermore, an increasement was observed in the cell density of the inner nuclear layer both in wild-type and KO mice upon alcohol exposure.
Conclusions
The expression of Trpa1 mRNA in the eye, moreover, the protective effect of gene deficiency, suggests a potential role of the ion channel in the pathomechanism of alcohol-induced ocular disorders.