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Wolf F, Dietrich-Ntoukas T, Reinach PS, Pleyer U, Mergler S. Nerve Growth Factor Modulates Regulatory Cell Volume Behavior via Stimulating TRPV1, TRPM8 Channels and Inducing Ca 2+ Signaling in Human Conjunctival Epithelial Cells. Cells 2025; 14:719. [PMID: 40422222 DOI: 10.3390/cells14100719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2025] [Revised: 05/06/2025] [Accepted: 05/09/2025] [Indexed: 05/28/2025] Open
Abstract
NGF plays important roles in ocular surface homeostasis and different pathological conditions. One effect includes promoting conjunctival epithelial cell differentiation and mucin secretion. This study characterizes the individual roles of TRPV1 and TRPM8 channel activity in mediating the effects of NGF on intracellular Ca2+ regulation and its alteration of regulatory cell volume responses to anisosmotic challenges in human conjunctival epithelial cells (IOBA-NHC). With fura-2/AM-loaded cells, the effects of 40 µM capsaicin and 20 µM AMG 9810 on Ca2+ regulation confirm functional TRPV1 expression. TRPM8 expression is evident since 500 µM menthol and 20 µM AMTB have opposing effects on [Ca2+]i. AMG 9810 and AMTB (both 20 µM) suppress the responses to NGF (100 ng/mL). With calcein/AM-loaded cells, the effects of these mediators are evaluated on apparent cell volume responses induced by an anisosmotic challenge. NGF decreases the apparent cell volume that AMG 9810 suppresses, whereas AMTB (both 20 µM) augments this response. Therefore, NGF interacts with TRPV1 and TRPM8 to induce opposing effects on cell volume regulatory behavior. These opposing effects suggest that the signaling pathways and effectors that mediate responses to TRPV1 and TRPM8 activation are not the same.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Wolf
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tina Dietrich-Ntoukas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter S Reinach
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China
| | - Uwe Pleyer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Mergler
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Park R, Spritz S, Zeng AY, Erukulla R, Zavala D, Merchant T, Gascon A, Jung R, Bigit B, Azar DT, Chang JH, Jalilian E, Djalilian AR, Guaiquil VH, Rosenblatt MI. Corneal Sensory Receptors and Pharmacological Therapies to Modulate Ocular Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:4663. [PMID: 40429806 PMCID: PMC12111238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26104663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2025] [Revised: 05/06/2025] [Accepted: 05/09/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Nociceptors respond to noxious stimuli and transmit pain signals to the central nervous system. In the cornea, the nociceptors located in the most external layer provide a myriad of sensation modalities. Damage to these corneal nerve fibers can induce neuropathic pain. In response, corneal nerves become sensitized to previously non-noxious stimuli. Assessing corneal pain origin is a complex ophthalmic challenge due to variations in its causes and manifestations. Current FDA-approved therapies for corneal nociceptive pain, such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs, provide only broad-acting relief with unwanted side effects, highlighting the need for precision medicine for corneal nociceptive pain. A few targeted treatments, including perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8) eye drops and Optive Plus (TRPV1 antagonist), are FDA-approved, while others are in preclinical development. Treatments that target signaling pathways related to neurotrophic factors, such as nerve growth factors and ion channels, such as the transient receptor potential (TRP) family or tropomyosin receptor kinase A, may provide a potential combinatory therapeutic approach. This review describes the roles of nociceptors in corneal pain. In addition, it evaluates molecules within nociceptor signaling pathways for their potential to serve as targets for efficient therapeutic strategies for corneal nociceptive pain aimed at modulating neurotrophic factors and nociceptive channel sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Park
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Samantha Spritz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Anne Y. Zeng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Rohith Erukulla
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Deneb Zavala
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Tasha Merchant
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Andres Gascon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Rebecca Jung
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Bianca Bigit
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Dimitri T. Azar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Jin-Hong Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
- Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Elmira Jalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
- Richard and Loan Hill Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Ali R. Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Victor H. Guaiquil
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
| | - Mark I. Rosenblatt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (R.P.); (S.S.); (D.Z.); (B.B.); (E.J.)
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