Investigation of the relationship between transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and hypertension in the human aorta

Arterial hypertension (HT) has a high prevalence and is an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Since the pathogenesis of primary HT, which constitutes the majority of HT patients, has not been largely elucidated, treatment targets are also an open area for research. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are a class of cationic channels that play an important role in signal transduction by changing the membrane potential or intracellular calcium concentration. Studies conducted in cell culture and experimental animal models have suggested that TRP channels may play a role in HT. This is the first study that is conducted on human vascular tissue and is aimed at investigating the role of TRP channels in HT pathogenesis and their potential place in treatment. In our study, ascending aorta tissue samples, that best reflect central blood pressure, were collected from chronic HT patients (n=59) who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery due to coronary artery disease, and normotensive patients (n=22) without a history of HT. TRP channel mRNA levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Subgroup analyses were performed for demographic characteristics, biochemical parameters, the number and classes of antihypertensive drugs used by the groups, as well as concurrent cardiometabolic diseases. Gene expression levels were evaluated according to these factors. In the study, while no difference was found between the HT group and the control group in terms of TRPC1 and TRPV3 mRNA expression levels, it was determined that TRPC6, TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV4, TRPM8 mRNA expression levels of HT patients were lower than those of the normotensive control group (respectively; 0.2 vs 1.05, 0.17 vs 1.05, 0.31 vs 0.97, 0.29 vs 1.05, 0.35 vs 1.19). As a result, TRP channels can provide opportunities for developing more effective treatment approaches by being evaluated as a potential treatment target in elucidating the pathogenesis of HT.