Background: The result of primary open-angle glaucoma is the loss of retinal ganglion cells. Transient receptor potential cation channel 6 is a pressure-related channel that may function in the survival of retinal ganglion cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of the transient receptor potential cation channel 6 gene in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
Design: Randomization study at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center in China.
Participants: 80 primary open-angle glaucoma patients and 75 cataract patients recruited from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center.
Methods: Total RNA was extracted from the leukocytes of the peripheral blood collected. The levels of transient receptor potential cation channel 6-messenger RNA were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Related factors including age, intraocular pressure, optic cup-to-disc ratio and visual field defect were analysed accordingly.
Main outcome measures: Clinical examination and the messenger RNA level.
Results: The expression level of the transient receptor potential cation channel 6 gene in the leukocytes of primary open-angle glaucoma patients was two times higher when compared with control cataract patients. The gene expression level was also correlated with intraocular pressure and cup-to-disc ratio. Treatment with different anti-glaucoma drugs did not affect the gene expression.
Conclusions: Increasing expression levels of the transient receptor potential cation channel 6 gene in the blood accompanies chronic elevation of intraocular pressure in primary open-angle glaucoma and may serve as a genetic biomarker for primary open-angle glaucoma.
Keywords: TRPC6; intraocular pressure (IOP); primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
© 2013 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology © 2013 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.