Innervation of TRPV1-, PGP-, and CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the subepithelial layer of a whole mount preparation of the rat cornea.

The pattern of innervation of capsaicin receptor, TRPV1-(transient receptor protein vanilloid 1), PGP 9.5-(protein gene product, a marker of peripheral nerve fibers)-, and CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide)-immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibers was examined by immunohistological staining of whole mount preparations of the adult rat cornea. The outer corneoscleral limbus toward the central cornea in the subepithelial (stromal) layer was richly innervated by a meshwork of PGP- and CGRP-IR nerve fibers. Sparse innervation was observed in the central cornea, presumably owing to insufficient staining. Dense innervation of TRPV1-IR nerve fibers were demonstrated in addition to innervation of PGP- and CGRP-IR nerve fibers, running from the corneoscleral margin to the central cornea. Although the density of TRPV1-IR nerve fibers appeared to gradually diminish, immunostaining of TRPV1-IR nerve fibers was not as clear as that of PGP- and CGRP-IR nerve fibers. The TRPV1-IR nerve fibers appeared to be thinner than the PGP- and CGRP-IR nerve fibers. The TRPV1-IR leash fibers were observed in the basal epithelial layer, presumably ensuring effective corneal reflex, response to noxious stimuli, and repair of cornea injury.