Renal Tubular TRPA1 as a Risk Factor for Recovery of Renal Function from Acute Tubular Necrosis

Background: Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), a redox-sensing Ca(2+)-influx channel, serves as a gatekeeper for inflammation. However, the role of TRPA1 in kidney injury remains elusive. Methods: The retrospective cohort study recruited 46 adult patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and biopsy-proven acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and followed them up for more than three months. The subjects were divided into high- and low-renal-tubular-TRPA1-expression groups for the comparison of the total recovery of renal function and mortality within three months. The significance of TRPA1 in patient prognosis was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curves and logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 46 adult AKI patients with ATN, 12 totally recovered renal function. The expression level of tubular TRPA1 was detected by quantitative analysis of the immunohistochemistry of biopsy specimens from ATN patients. The AKI patients with high tubular TRPA1 expression showed a high incidence of nontotal renal function recovery than those with low tubular TRPA1 expression (OR = 7.14; 95%CI 1.35–37.75; p = 0.02). High TRPA1 expression was independently associated with nontotal recovery of renal function (adjusted OR = 6.86; 95%CI 1.26–37.27; p = 0.03). Conclusion: High tubular TRPA1 expression was associated with the nontotal recovery of renal function. Further mechanistic studies are warranted.