Transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) is expressed in a subset of nociceptive sensory neurons where it acts as a sensor for environmental irritants, including acrolein, and some pungent plant ingredients such as allyl isothiocyanate and cinnamaldehyde. These exogenous compounds activate TRPA1 by covalent modification of cysteine residues. We have used electrophysiological methods and mea- Ϫ/Ϫ mice. These data demonstrate that multiple agents produced during episodes of oxidative stress can activate TRPA1 expressed in sensory neurons.

Specific peripheral sensory neurons respond to increases in extracellular osmolality but the mechanism responsible for excitation is unknown. Here we show that small increases in osmolality excite isolated mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons expressing the cold-sensitive TRPM8 channel (transient receptor potential channel, subfamily M, member 8). Hyperosmotic responses were abolished by TRPM8 antagonists, and were absent in DRG and TG neurons isolated from Trpm8−/− mice. Heterologously expressed TRPM8 was activated by increased osmolality around physiological levels and inhibited by reduced osmolality. Electrophysiological studies in a mouse corneal preparation demonstrated that osmolality regulated the electrical activity of TRPM8-expressing corneal afferent neurons. Finally, the frequency of eye blinks was reduced in Trpm8−/− compared with wild-type mice and topical administration of a TRPM8 antagonist reduced blinking in wild-type mice. Our findings identify TRPM8 as a peripheral osmosensor responsible for the regulation of normal eye-blinking in mice.

The antifungal and amoebicidal drug clioquinol (CQ) was withdrawn from the market when it was linked to an epidemic of subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy (SMON). Clioquinol exerts its anti-parasitic actions by acting as a Cu/Zn chelator and ionophore. Here we show that local injections of CQ produce mechanical hyperalgesia and cold hypersensitivity through a mechanism involving TRPA1 in mice. We also show that CQ activates TRPA1 in a Zn 2؉ pain ͉ sensory neurons ͉ TRP channels ͉ zinc T he antifungal and amoebicidal drug clioquinol (CQ) was once widely used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, but was withdrawn from oral preparations when CQ was linked to an epidemic of subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy (SMON) in Japanese patients. Patients with SMON suffer from sensory and motor disorders and visual impairment. Thirty years after the ban of oral CQ, 40% of patients with SMON are unable to walk independently and approximately 7% suffer from visual impairment. The most common complaints, however, have been different forms of sensory impairments, such as tactile hypo-and hypersensitivity (almost 90% of patients) and dysesthesias (97%) (1). Notably, almost 50% of patients experience pain and 40% have cold sensitivity. CQ also has acute sensory effects, and studies on isolated nociceptive fibers in dogs demonstrated that CQ recruited normally quiescent fibers to become sensitive to hyperosmotic stimuli and cold (2), suggesting a direct effect on sensory nerves.CQ exerts its anti-parasitic actions by acting as a moderate affinity Cu/Zn chelator and ionophore. The ionophore activity of CQ contributes to its neurotoxicity (3, 4), but also makes it a useful drug for the treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica, a rare genetic disorder characterized by insufficient Zn 2ϩ uptake (5, 6). More recently CQ has been shown to reduce Cu/Zn deposits and beta-amyloid accumulation in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (7,8), findings that have led to clinical trials of CQ in Alzheimer's patients (9, 10).TRPA1 is expressed in a subpopulation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, where it acts as a sensory receptor for environmental irritants and both oxidation and thiol-reactive compounds, some of which are produced endogenously during oxidative stress (11-15). Furthermore, TRPA1 can be activated by increasing the osmolarity of the extracellular solution (16).Transgenic mice lacking TRPA1 have a reduced sensitivity to cold stimuli and punctate mechanical stimulation (17), in addition to a reduced chemical sensitivity to irritants and oxidants (11,12,17,18). The similarity between the modalities affected by CQ in nociceptive fibers (increased sensitivity to cold stimulation and hyperosmotic solutions) and the behavioral deficits of mice lacking TRPA1 (reduced sensitivity to painful cold and mechanical stimuli) led us to examine whether CQ can induce pain behavior acutely in mice through the activation of TRPA1. ResultsPronociceptive Effects of Clioquinol. Tactile and cold hypersensitivity are very common symptoms in pati...