TRPA1 Expressed by Hepatocytes and Liver Macrophages Does Not Mediate Inflammatory Infiltration and Steatosis in a Mouse Model of Chronic Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is a non-selective cation channel, and its activator, the alcohol breakdown product acetaldehyde, plays a key role in the pathomechanism of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We hypothesized that TRPA1 is expressed in the liver, can be activated by alcohol breakdown products, and plays a role in ALD. We aimed (1) to confirm the presence of TRPA1 in liver samples from C57BL6/J mice by RNAscope in situ hybridization combined with immunostaining, (2) to prove that alcohol breakdown products may activate human TRPA1 by calcium-imaging, and (3) to investigate the role of TRPA1 in a chronic continuous 20% alcohol drinking model involving Trpa1 gene-deficient (KO) mice. The liver enzyme levels were evaluated; moreover, the steatosis, portal and interface inflammatory infiltrations were assessed in PAS–hematoxylin-stained sections. We detected Trpa1 expression in both hepatocytes and liver macrophages. We observed elevated liver enzyme levels in wild-type mice. Significant inflammatory infiltration and steatosis developed in both WT and KO mice in response to alcohol; however, no significant differences were found between the genotypes. We conclude that Trpa1 is expressed in hepatocytes and liver macrophages; however, the chronic alcohol-induced steatosis and inflammatory infiltration develop through a TRPA1-independent mechanism.