title: Increased expression of the transient receptor potential cation channel 6 gene in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomization study at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shida
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Xinbo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Xiaolei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Alan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Laties
authors.forename: Xiulan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D050052:TRPC Cation Channels / Q000235:genetics*; D000074287:TRPC6 Cation Channel; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D058609:Visual Field Tests
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D005819:Genetic Markers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050052:TRPC Cation Channels; D000074287:TRPC6 Cation Channel; C117032:TRPC6 protein, human
keywords: TRPC6; intraocular pressure (IOP); primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)