OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of aquaporin-1(AQP-1) and aquaporin-3(AQP-3) in the development of colorectal carcinoma.

METHODSThe expression of AQP-1 and AQP-3 was investigated using immunohistochemical staining with Streptavidin Peroxidase in tissues from colorectal adenoma (CRA, n=25), colorectal cancer (CRC, n=50), and adjacent mucosa (CRT, n=50).

RESULTSThe positive rate of AQP-1 was 64%(32/50) in CRC, significantly higher than that in CRT (38%, 19/50) and CRA(32%, 8/25)(P<0.05). The expression of AQP-1 was associated with depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis in CRC patients(P<0.05). The positive rate of AQP-3 was 56% in CRT, 44% in CRA, and 52% in CRC. There were no significant differences (P>0.05). The expression of AQP-3 was associated with age, tumor diameter, and depth of invasion (P<0.05). No significant correlation between the expression of AQP-1 and AQP-3 in CRC was shown by Spearman correlation analysis(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAQP-1 expression is increased in CRC while the expression of AQP-3 is not. There is no correlation between the expression of AQP-1 and AQP-3 in CRC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aquaporin 1 ; metabolism ; Aquaporin 3 ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the interaction among aquaporin1 (AQP), aquaporin2 (AQP2) and antisecretory factor( AF) , and their expression in the rat inner ear for furthur understanding of Meniere' s disease.

METHODSInner ear tissue section of six healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats was performed and Envision immunochemical staining was applied to detect the expression of AF, AQP1 and AQP2 in the rat inner ear. Vestibular and cochlear tissues of twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were dissected. Coimmunoprecipitation and Western Blot were used to specifically immunoprecipitate AF protein in the vestibular and cochlear tissues with monoclonal antibodies against AQP1 and polyclonal antibodies antibodies against AQP2 to detect the above precipitate with specific antibodies against AF.

RESULTS(1) AF was widely distributed in the inner ear, such as marginal cells of stria vascularis , five classes of spiral ligament fibrocyte , Reissner's membrane, basilar membrane, ampullar crest and so on with mild or moderate staining. In addition, round membrane was moderately or markedly stained. Positive immunostaining was found in the cochlear spiral ganglion, vestibular nerve and cochlear nerve. AQP1 was distributed in the intermediate cells in stria vascularis, type III fibrocyte of spiral ligament, basilar membrane and round membrane with moderate to marked degree of immunostaining intensity. AQP2 was mainly localized to the type II, IV, and V fibrocyte of spiral ligament, with moderate to marked degree of immunostaining intensity, round membrane was weakly stained. (2) No band was observed in the control and a single immunoreactive band of 60 000 was observed, which was equal to the molecular mass of AF.

CONCLUSIONS(1) AF, AQP1 and AQP2 have its individual specific localization in the rat inner ear, which was close to the parts of endolymph, so regulating water of the endolymph may be possible. (2) The range of localization of AF overlapped the distribution of AQP1 and AQP2. The results showed the existence of AF protein in the immunoprecipitate using co-immunoprecipitation combined with Western Blot. It suggested that the interaction between AQP1, AQP2 and AF might be possible.

Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; metabolism ; Aquaporin 2 ; metabolism ; Cochlea ; metabolism ; Ear, Inner ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuropeptides ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of aquaporins (AQPs) in the mouse prostatic tissue and their significance, and to provide some evidence for a deeper insight into the physiological function and regulation of AQP expressions in normal and diseased prostatic tissues.

METHODSThe mRNA expressions of AQP0 - 4 in the mouse prostatic tissue were determined by RT-PCR, and the expressions and localizations of AQP1 and AQP3 proteins were characterized by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSRT-PCR exhibited the mRNA expressions of AQP1 and AQP3, but not those of AQP0, AQP2 and AQP4 in the prostate tissue, while Western blot showed the expression of the AQP1 protein with the relative molecular mass (RMM) of 28 000 and those of the glycosylated and non-glycosylated AQP3 proteins with the RMM of 35 000 and 27 000, respectively. Immunohistochemistry indicated the strong expression of AQP1 in the cyst and plasma membrane of the secretary cells and that of AQP3 in the stroma cells of the prostate.

CONCLUSIONThe AQP1 and AQP3 genes were expressed in the secretary epithelia of the mouse prostate tissue, which suggests that AQP1 and AQP3 may play an important role in the secretion of prostatic fluid.

Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Aquaporin 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology

To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on the expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells, bovine trabecular meshwork cells were cultured in vitro and reproduced to the third and the fourth generation, then treated with dexamethasone at the concentrations of 5, 25, 50, 250 microg/L respectively for 7 days. Immunohistochemical technique-supervision method was employed to measure, and image analysis system to analyze the expression of AQP-1 in normal cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells and those treated with dexamethasone. In normal bovine trabecular meshwork cells, the grayscale of AQP-1 positive staining was 167.94 +/- 1.18, while it was 168.92 +/- 0.91, 176.72 +/- 1.80, 180.64 +/- 1.31, 185.64 +/- 1.58 in cells treated with 5, 25, 50, 250 microg/L concentrations of dexamethasone. When the concentration of dexamethasone was higher than 25 microg/L, the expression of AQP-1 was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05). The regulation of AQP-1 expression by dexamethasone in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells in vitro may be one of causes that retard the aqueous outflow in glucocorticoid- induced glaucoma.
Aquaporin 1/*biosynthesis ; Aquaporin 1/genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Depression, Chemical ; Dexamethasone/*pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Immunohistochemistry ; Trabecular Meshwork/cytology ; Trabecular Meshwork/*metabolism

We investigated the expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in tissues from canines with an inherited anomaly that causes their erythrocytes to have high K+. Northern blot analysis revealed abundant AQP1 expression in lung and kidney, though little expression was found in spleen. Using anti-C-terminus for dog AQP1, abundant expression was shown in kidney, trachea, and eye, but little expression was shown in pancreas and cerebrum, indicating that AQP1 expression in canine tissues is similar to that noted in other mammals.
Animals ; Aquaporin 1/*metabolism ; Blotting, Northern ; Dogs ; Erythrocytes/*chemistry ; Immunoblotting ; Potassium/*analysis ; Viscera/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the ultrastructural localization of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in the endolymphatic sac (ES) of the mouse inner ear and explore the function of the AQP1 in ES.

METHODSThe cellular localization of AQP1 in ES of the mouse inner ear was investigated by immunocytochemistry. The ultrastructural localization of AQP1 in the mouse inner ear was performed by immunogold electron microscopy which is characterized as cryoprotection and high sensitivity.

RESULTSIn the ES, strong AQP1 labeling was observed in the sub-epithelial connective tissue. Fibroblasts of sub-epithelial connective tissue of the ES present densely labeling of gold particles. But the epithelial cells of the ES were devoid of labeling. AQP1 was localized on the cell processes of the fibrocytes.

CONCLUSIONSAQP1 in the ES may play an important role in absorbing water and regulate the balance of fluid and ion in the inner ear.

Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; metabolism ; Endolymphatic Sac ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Microscopy, Electron

OBJECTIVEAquaporin (AQP) is a group of cell membrane transporting proteins. The study was designed to investigate the changes of AQP1 and AQP5 in the lung tissue under hyperoxia and their roles in pulmonary edema.

METHODSTwo hundred newborn rats were randomized into different oxygen concentrations exposure: FiO2=0.80 (Experimental group 1), FiO2=0.60 (Experimental group 2), FiO2=0.40 (Experimental group 3) and FiO2=0.21 (Air control group). Rats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after the beginning of experiment (10 rats each time point). The expressions of AQP1 and AQP5 were examined by Western Blot. The ratio of lung wet weight to lung dry weight (wet-to-dry weight ratio, W/D), and the protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured.

RESULTSCompared with the Air control group, the W/D ratio and the protein content in BALF in the three experiment groups increased significantly and the increased extent was positively related to the duration and the oxygen concentration of hyperoxia-exposure. The expression of AQP1 in the experimental groups began to decrease at the 3rd day and significant differences were found at the 5th and the 7th days after hyperoxia-exposure compared with that in the Air control group (P < 0.05). The AQP1 expression was restored somewhat at the 14th day after hyperoxia-exposure, but it was still lower in the Experimental groups 1 and 2 than that in the Air control group (P < 0.05). The expression of AQP5 in the experimental groups were reduced compared with that in the Air control group 3 days after hyperoxia-exposure and the decrease of AQP5 expression was associated with duration of hyperoxia-exposure. The comparison among three experimental groups showed that the decrease of AQP1 and AQP5 expressions was associated with the concentration of hyperoxia-exposure.

CONCLUSIONSThe expressions of AQP1 and AQP5 decreased in hyperoxia-induced lung injury and correlated with the severity of pulmonary edema.

Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; analysis ; Aquaporin 5 ; analysis ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Female ; Hyperoxia ; metabolism ; Lung ; chemistry ; Male ; Pulmonary Edema ; etiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo determine if aquaporin1 (AQP1) and aquaporin5 (AQP5) are expressed in the alveolar capillary membrane in rats. Moreover, to investigate the alteration of AQP1 and AQP5 in acute injured lungs.

METHODSThe distribution of AQP1 and AQP5 in alveolar capillary membrane were investigated by immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy with affinity-purified antibodies to human AQP1 and AQP5. To study the possibility that alveolar capillary membrane AQP1 and AQP5 undergo altered regulation, we established a rat model using alveolar instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

RESULTSImmunolabelling showed AQP1 was stained primarily in the microvascular endotheli a of normal lungs, while AQP5 was expressed in type I pneumocytes. Immunohisto chemical analysis showed a significant decrease in the expression of AQP1 and AQP5 in injured lungs at 4h-48h after LPS instillation. AQP1 protein was resumed partly at 24h after LPS instillation and steroid administration, whereas AQP5 was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONThe decreased expressions of AQP1 and AQP5 in injured lungs suggest that both of them may play a role in abnormal fluid transportation.

Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; Aquaporin 5 ; Aquaporins ; analysis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVES: To observe the changes of expression of aquaporin-1（AQP-1） and AQP-4 in drowned and postmortem immersed rats' lungs. METHODS: Thirty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into drowning group, postmortem immersion group and cervical dislocation group. The morphological changes of rats' lungs were observed using HE staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of AQP-1 and AQP-4 in rats' lungs were detected by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: The results of immunohistochemistry and the Western blotting showed that the protein expression of AQP-1 of the drowning group was higher than the postmortem immersion group and the cervical dislocation group （P<0.05）. The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the protein expression of AQP-4 of the drowning group was higher than the postmortem immersion group and the cervical dislocation group （P<0.05） while no difference were detected among the three of them by Western blotting （P>0.05）. The mRNA expressions of AQP-1 and AQP-4 in rats' lungs of the drowning group was significantly higher than the postmortem immersion group （P<0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The increase of mRNA and protein expressions of AQP-1 and AQP-4 in lungs of rats with cute lung injury of the drowning group would be useful for differentiating vital drowning from postmortem immersion.
Animals ; Aquaporin 1/metabolism* ; Aquaporin 4/metabolism* ; Autopsy ; Blotting, Western ; Drowning ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung/metabolism* ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

PURPOSE: It is suggested that caveolin and aquaporin might be closely associated with bladder signal activity. We investigated the effect of the deletion of caveolin 1, using caveolin 1 knockout mice, on the expression of aquaporin 1 in order to identify their relation in the urothelium of the urinary bladder. METHODS: The cellular localization and expressions of aquaporin 1 and caveolin 1, in the wild type and caveolin 1 knockout mice urinary bladder, were examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence techniques. RESULTS: Aquaporin 1 and caveolin 1 were coexpressed in the arterioles, venules, and capillaries of the suburothelial layer in the wild type controls. Aquaporin 1 protein expression was significantly higher in the caveolin 1 knockout mice than in the wild type controls (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results imply that aquaporin 1 and caveolin 1 may share a distinct relation with the bladder signal activity. This might play a specific role in bladder dysfunction.
Animals ; Aquaporin 1* ; Arterioles ; Blotting, Western ; Capillaries ; Caveolin 1* ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Mice* ; Mice, Knockout ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urothelium ; Venules