Activation of the TRAAK two-pore domain potassium channels in rd1 mice protects photoreceptor cells from apoptosis

AIM: To investigate the expression of TWIK-related arachidonic acid-stimulated K+ channel (TRAAK) in retinal degeneration mice (rd1) and further evaluate how TRAAK affect photoreceptor cell apoptosis. METHODS: The rd1 mice were distributed into blank (no treatment), control (1.4% DMSO, intraperitoneal injection) and riluzole groups (4 mg/kg·d, intraperitoneal injection) from postnatal 7d to 10, 14 and 18d; C57 group (no treatment), as age-matched wild-type control. The thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) of retina was detected by paraffin section hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression of TRAAK and the apoptosis of the ONL cells were detected by immunostaining, Western blotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The channel agonist riluzole activated TRAAK and delayed the apoptosis of photoreceptor cells in ONL layer of rd1 mice. Both at mRNA and protein levels, after riluzole treatment, TRAAK expression was significantly upregulated, when compared with the control and blank group. Then we detected a series of apoptosis related mRNA and protein. The anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 downregulated and the pro-apoptotic factors Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 upregulated significantly. CONCLUSION: Riluzole elevates the expression of TRAAK and inhibits the development of apoptosis. Activation of TRAAK may have some potential effects to put off photoreceptor apoptosis.