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Martínez N, Damiano AE. Aquaporins in Fetal Development. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1398:251-266. [PMID: 36717499 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7415-1_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Water homeostasis is essential for fetal growth, and it depends on the successful development of the placenta. Many aquaporins (AQPs) were identified from blastocyst stages to term placenta. In the last years, cytokines, hormones, second messengers, intracellular pH, and membrane proteins were found to regulate their expression and function in the human placenta and fetal membranes. Accumulated data suggest that these proteins may be involved not only in the maintenance of the amniotic fluid volume homeostasis but also in the development of the placenta and fetal organs. In this sense, dysregulation of placental AQPs is associated with gestational disorders. Thus, current evidence shows that AQPs may collaborate in cellular events including trophoblast migration and apoptosis. In addition, aquaglyceroporins are involved in energy metabolism as well as urea elimination across the placenta. In the last year, the presence of AQP9 in trophoblast mitochondria opened new hypotheses about its role in pregnancy. However, much further work is needed to understand the importance of these proteins in human pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Martínez
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia E Damiano
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Cátedra de Biología Celulary Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Kordowitzki P, Kranc W, Bryl R, Kempisty B, Skowronska A, Skowronski MT. The Relevance of Aquaporins for the Physiology, Pathology, and Aging of the Female Reproductive System in Mammals. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122570. [PMID: 33271827 PMCID: PMC7760214 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins constitute a group of water channel proteins located in numerous cell types. These are pore-forming transmembrane proteins, which mediate the specific passage of water molecules through membranes. It is well-known that water homeostasis plays a crucial role in different reproductive processes, e.g., oocyte transport, hormonal secretion, completion of successful fertilization, blastocyst formation, pregnancy, and birth. Further, aquaporins are involved in the process of spermatogenesis, and they have been reported to be involved during the storage of spermatozoa. It is noteworthy that aquaporins are relevant for the physiological function of specific parts in the female reproductive system, which will be presented in detail in the first section of this review. Moreover, they are relevant in different pathologies in the female reproductive system. The contribution of aquaporins in selected reproductive disorders and aging will be summarized in the second section of this review, followed by a section dedicated to aquaporin-related proteins. Since the relevance of aquaporins for the male reproductive system has been reviewed several times in the recent past, this review aims to provide an update on the distribution and impact of aquaporins only in the female reproductive system. Therefore, this paper seeks to determine the physiological and patho-physiological relevance of aquaporins on female reproduction, and female reproductive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Kordowitzki
- Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute for Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-243 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Wiesława Kranc
- Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (W.K.); (R.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Rut Bryl
- Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (W.K.); (R.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Bartosz Kempisty
- Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (W.K.); (R.B.); (B.K.)
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute for Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Skowronska
- Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Warszawska Street 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Mariusz T. Skowronski
- Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute for Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-56-611-2231
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Shao H, Gao S, Ying X, Zhu X, Hua Y. Expression and Regulation of Aquaporins in Pregnancy Complications and Reproductive Dysfunctions. DNA Cell Biol 2020; 40:116-125. [PMID: 33226842 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2020.5983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs), small hydrophobic integral membrane proteins, mediate rapid transport of water and small solutes. The abnormal expressions of AQPs are associated with pregnancy complications and reproductive dysfunctions, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, tubal ectopic pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, preterm birth, chorioamnionitis, polyhydramnios, and oligohydramnios, thus resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review explains the alterations of AQPs in pregnancy complications and reproductive dysfunctions and summarizes the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulations of AQPs by drugs such as oxytocin, polychlorinated biphenyls, all-trans-retinoic acid, salvia miltiorrhiza, and insulin, or other factors such as oxygen and osmotic pressure. All the research provides evidence that AQPs could be the new therapeutic targets of pregnancy-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailing Shao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shichu Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xinxin Ying
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xueqiong Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ying Hua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels proteins that facilitate water flux across cell membranes in response to osmotic gradients. Despite of the differences in the mammalian placentas, the conserved combination of AQPs expressed in placental and fetal membranes throughout gestation suggests that these proteins may be important in the regulation of fetal water homeostasis. Thus, AQPs may regulate the amniotic fluid volume and participate in the trans-placental transfer of water. Apart from their classical roles, recent studies have revealed that placental AQPs may also cooperate in cellular processes such as the migration and the apoptosis of the trophoblasts. Aquaglyceroporins can also participate in the energy metabolism and in the urea elimination across the placenta. Many factors including oxygen, hormones, acid-basis homeostasis, maternal dietary status, interaction with other transport proteins and osmotic stress are proposed to regulate their expression and function during gestation and alterations result in pathological pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia E Damiano
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Skowronska A, Tanski D, Jaskiewicz L, Skowronski MT. Modulation by steroid hormones and other factors on the expression of aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-5. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2019; 112:209-242. [PMID: 32061342 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Skowronska
- Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - D Tanski
- Department of Anatomy and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - L Jaskiewicz
- Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - M T Skowronski
- Veterinary Center, University of Nicolaus Copernicus, Torun, Poland
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Skowronska A, Mlotkowska P, Majewski M, Nielsen S, Skowronski MT. Expression of aquaporin 1 and 5 and their regulation by ovarian hormones, arachidonic acid, forskolin and cAMP during implantation in pigs. Physiol Res 2016; 65:637-650. [PMID: 26988150 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporin proteins (AQPs) are a family of channels expressed in numerous mammalian tissues, where they play a fundamental role in regulating water transport across cell membranes. Based on reports that AQPs are present in the reproductive system and participate in reproductive processes, our aim was to investigate the effect of progesterone (P(4)), estradiol (E(2)), oxytocin (OT), arachidonic acid (AA), forskolin (FSK) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) on AQP1 and AQP5 expression at mRNA and protein levels in porcine uterine explants from Days 14-16 of gestation in order to determine if they play a role in implantation period in pigs. Quantitative real time PCR and Western-blot analysis revealed that the uterine explants treated with FSK and cAMP produce delayed, but long-term effects on AQP1 abundance (24 h) while AQP5 had a rapid and sustained response to FSK and cAMP in protein content (3 and 24 h). AA increases gene and protein content of AQP1 after longer exposition whereas AQP5 increases after 3 h only at the protein level. Both AQPs potentially remains under control of steroid hormones. OT has been shown to increase AQP1, and decrease AQP5 mRNA, without visible changes in protein content. P(4), E(2), AA, FSK and cAMP caused the appearance of AQP5 expression in the basolateral plasma membrane of the epithelial cells. The staining represents most likely AQP5 functioning mechanism for both absorption and reabsorption across the glandular epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Skowronska
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Department of Human Physiology, Olsztyn, Poland.
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Expression of AQP6 and AQP8 in epithelial ovarian tumor. J Mol Histol 2016; 47:129-34. [DOI: 10.1007/s10735-016-9657-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Skowronska A, Mlotkowska P, Nielsen S, Skowronski MT. Difference in expression between AQP1 and AQP5 in porcine endometrium and myometrium in response to steroid hormones, oxytocin, arachidonic acid, forskolin and cAMP during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle and luteolysis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2015; 13:131. [PMID: 26625724 PMCID: PMC4665864 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-015-0128-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, we demonstrated in vitro that AQP1 and AQP5 in the porcine uterus are regulated by steroid hormones (P4, E2), arachidonic acid (AA), forskolin (FSK) and cAMP during the estrous cycle. However, the potential of the porcine separated uterine tissues, the endometrium and myometrium, to express these AQPs remains unknown. Thus, in this study, the responses of AQP1 and AQP5 to P4, E2 oxytocin (OT), AA, FSK and cAMP in the porcine endometrium and myometrium were examined during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle and luteolysis. METHODS Real-time PCR and western blot analysis. RESULTS Progesterone up-regulated the expression of AQP1/AQP5 mRNAs and proteins in the endometrium and myometrium, especially during luteolysis. Similarly, E2 also stimulated the expression of both AQPs, but only in the endometrium. AA led to the upregulation of AQP1/AQP5 in the endometrium during luteolysis. In turn, OT increased the expression of AQP1/AQP5 mRNAs and proteins in the myometrium during mid-luteal phase. Moreover, a stimulatory effect of forskolin and cAMP on the expression of AQP1/AQP5 mRNAs and proteins in the endometrium and myometrium dominated during luteolysis, but during the mid-luteal phase their influence on the expression of these AQPs was differentiated depending on the type of tissue and the incubation duration. CONCLUSIONS These results seem to indicate that uterine tissues; endometrium and myometrium, exhibit their own AQP expression profiles in response to examined factors. Moreover, the responses of AQP1/AQP5 at mRNA and protein levels to the studied factors in the endometrium and myometrium are more pronounced during luteolysis. This suggests that the above effects of the studied factors are connected with morphological and physiological changes taking place in the pig uterus during the estrous cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Skowronska
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 30, 10-082, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Patrycja Mlotkowska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Soren Nielsen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mariusz T Skowronski
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
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Skowronska A, Młotkowska P, Wojciechowicz B, Okrasa S, Nielsen S, Skowronski MT. Progesterone, estradiol, arachidonic acid, oxytocin, forskolin and cAMP influence on aquaporin 1 and 5 expression in porcine uterine explants during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle and luteolysis: an in vitro study. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2015; 13:7. [PMID: 25884220 PMCID: PMC4341226 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-015-0004-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cell membrane water channel protein, aquaporins (AQPs), regulate cellular water transport and cell volume and play a key role in water homeostasis. Recently, AQPs are considered as important players in the field of reproduction. In previous studies, we have established the presence of AQP1 and 5 in porcine uterus. Their expression at protein level altered in distinct tissues of the female reproductive system depending on the phase of the estrous cycle. However, the regulation of aquaporin genes and proteins expression has not been examined in porcine uterine tissue. Therefore, we have designed an in vitro experiment to explain whether steroid hormones, progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2), and other factors: oxytocine (OT), arachidonic acid (AA; substrate for prostaglandins synthesis) as well as forskolin (FSK; adenylate cyclase activator) and cAMP (second messenger, cyclic adenosine monophosphate) may impact AQPs expression. METHODS Uterine tissues were collected on Days 10-12 and 14-16 of the estrous cycle representing the mid-luteal phase and luteolysis. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to examine the expression of porcine AQP1 and AQP5. Their expression in the uterine explants was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The results indicated that uterine expression of AQP1 and AQP5 potentially remains under control of steroid hormones and AA-derived compounds (e.g. prostaglandins). P4, E2, AA, FSK and cAMP cause translocation of AQP5 from apical to the basolateral plasma membrane of the epithelial cells, which might affect the transcellular water movement (through epithelial cells) between uterine lumen and blood vessels. The AC/cAMP pathway is involved in the intracellular signals transduction connected with the regulation of AQPs expression in the pig uterus. CONCLUSIONS This study documented specific patterns of AQP1 and AQP5 expression in response to P4, E2, AA, FSK and cAMP, thereby providing new indirect evidence of their role in maintaining the local fluid balance within the uterus during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle and luteolysis in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Skowronska
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Patrycja Młotkowska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Bartosz Wojciechowicz
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Stanisław Okrasa
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Soren Nielsen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Mariusz T Skowronski
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
- Institute of Veterinary, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
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Prat C, Blanchon L, Borel V, Gallot D, Herbet A, Bouvier D, Marceau G, Sapin V. Ontogeny of Aquaporins in Human Fetal Membranes1. Biol Reprod 2012; 86:48. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.095448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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Jung D, Sato JD, Shaw JR, Stanton BA. Expression of aquaporin 3 in gills of the Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus): Effects of seawater acclimation. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2011; 161:320-6. [PMID: 22193757 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2011] [Revised: 11/28/2011] [Accepted: 11/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Estuarine fish, such as the Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus), are constantly and rapidly exposed to changes in salinity. Although ion transport in killifish gills during acclimation to increased salinity has been studied extensively, no studies have examined the role of aquaglyceroporin 3 (AQP3), a water, glycerol, urea, and ammonia transporter, during acclimation to increased salinity in this sentinel environmental model organism. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that transfer from freshwater to seawater decreases AQP3 gene and protein expression in the gill of killifish. Transfer from freshwater to seawater decreased AQP3 mRNA in the gill after 1 day, but had no effect on total gill AQP3 protein abundance as determined by western blot. Quantitative confocal immunocytochemistry confirmed western blot studies that transfer from freshwater to seawater did not change total AQP3 abundance in the gill; however, immunocytochemistry revealed that the amount of AQP3 in pillar cells of secondary lamellae decreased in seawater fish, whereas the amount of AQP3 in mitochondrion rich cells (MRC) in primary filaments of the gill increased in seawater fish. This response of AQP3 expression is unique to killifish compared to other teleosts. Although the role of AQP3 in the gill of killifish has not been completely elucidated, these results suggest that AQP3 may play an important role in the ability of killifish to acclimate to increased salinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawoon Jung
- Department of Microbiology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
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Sha XY, Xiong ZF, Liu HS, Zheng Z, Ma TH. Pregnant phenotype in aquaporin 8-deficient mice. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2011; 32:840-4. [PMID: 21602842 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2011.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Aquaporin 8 (AQP8) is expressed within the female reproductive system but its physiological function reminds to be elucidated. This study investigates the role of AQP8 during pregnancy using AQP8-knockout (AQP8-KO) mice. METHODS Homozygous AQP8-KO mice were mated, and the conception rate was recorded. AQP8-KO pregnant mice or their offspring were divided into 5 subgroups according to fetal gestational day (7, 13, 16, 18 GD) and newborn. Wild type C57 pregnant mice served as the control group. The number of pregnant mice, total embryos and atrophic embryos, as well as fetal weight, placental weight and placental area were recorded for each subgroup. The amount of amniotic fluid in each sac at 13, 16, and 18 GD was calculated. Statistical significance was determined by analysis of variance of factorial design and chi-square tests. RESULTS Conception rates did not differ significantly between AQP8-KO and wild type mice. AQP8-KO pregnant mice had a significantly higher number of embryos compared to wild type controls. Fetal/neonatal weight was also significantly greater in the AQP8-KO group compared to age-matched wild type controls. The amount of amniotic fluid was greater in AQP8-KO pregnant mice than wild type controls, although the FM/AFA (fetal weight/amniotic fluid amount) did not differ. While AQP8-KO placental weight was significantly larger than wild type controls, there was no evidence of placental pathology in either group. CONCLUSION The results suggest that AQP8 deficiency plays an important role in pregnancy outcome.
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Maternal-fetal fluid balance and aquaporins: from molecule to physiology. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2011; 32:716-20. [PMID: 21602839 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2011.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal-fetal fluid balance is critical during pregnancy, and amniotic fluid is essential for fetal growth and development. The placenta plays a key role in a successful pregnancy as the interface between the mother and her fetus. Aquaporins (AQPs) form specific water channels that allow the rapid transcellular movement of water in response to osmotic/hydrostatic pressure gradients. AQPs expression in the placenta and fetal membranes may play important roles in the maternal-fetal fluid balance.
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Damiano AE. Review: Water channel proteins in the human placenta and fetal membranes. Placenta 2011; 32 Suppl 2:S207-11. [PMID: 21208655 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2010.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2010] [Revised: 12/09/2010] [Accepted: 12/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
It has been established that the permeability of the human placenta increases with advancing gestation. Indirect evidence has also proposed that aquaporins (AQPs) may be involved in the regulation of placental water flow but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Five AQPs have been found in the human placenta and fetal membranes [AQP1, 3, 4, 8 and 9]. However, the physiological function(s) and the regulation of these proteins remain unknown. Emerging evidence has shown that human fetal membrane AQPs may have a role in intramembranous amniotic fluid water regulation and that alterations in their expression are related to polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios. In addition, we have observed a high expression of AQP3 and AQP9 in the apical membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast. Moreover, AQP9 was found to be increased in preeclamptic placentas, but it could not be related to its functionality for the transport of water and mannitol. However, a significant urea flux was seen. Since preeclampsia is not known to be associated with an altered water flux to the fetus we propose that AQP9 might not have a key role in water transport in human placenta, but a function in the energy metabolism or the urea uptake and elimination across the placenta. However, the role of AQP9 in human placenta is still speculative and needs further studies. Insulin, hCG, cAMP and CFTR have been found to be involved in the regulation of the molecular and functional expression of AQPs. Further insights into these mechanisms may clarify how water moves between the mother and the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Damiano
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Belkacemi L, Desai M, Beall MH, Liu Q, Lin JT, Nelson DM, Ross MG. Early compensatory adaptations in maternal undernourished pregnancies in rats: role of the aquaporins. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2010; 24:752-9. [PMID: 20958229 DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2010.521870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of maternal undernutrition (MUN) during pregnancy on fetal and placental weight, amniotic fluid (AF) volume, AF osmolality and ion concentrations at gestational ages E16 and E20. We also quantified protein expression of water channels (aquaporins; AQPs). METHODS Pregnant rat dams were fed an ad libitum diet (AdLib; n = 6) or were 50% MUN (n = 6) beginning at E10 of gestation. At E16 and E20, we assessed the effect of MUN on fetal and placental weights, AF volume and osmolality, and placental expression of AQP1, 8 and 9. We focused on two uterine positions (proximal and mid-horns) with the extremes of nutrient/oxygen supply. We also separately studied the basal zone (hormone production) and the labyrinth zone (feto-maternal exchange). RESULTS We showed that at E16, MUN fetal, and placental weights were unchanged and that, similarly, MUN AF volume, osmolality were comparable to AdLib. At E20, however, MUN fetal and placental zonal weights were significantly decreased. Inversely, due to MUN, maternal and fetal plasma osmolality and Na+ concentrations were significantly increased. Further, MUN AF volume was significantly reduced, while AF osmolality and Na+ concentration were increased at E20. CONCLUSION Placental basal zone showed variable changes in AQP expression unrelated to position in the uterus or the gestational age (and thus severity of the fetal/placental growth restriction). In the labyrinth zone, MUN placental AQP1 was significantly decreased, whereas AQP8 and 9 expressions were significantly increased at E16 and E20. Dysregulation of AQPs' expression prior to the occurrence of oligohydramnios may represent a compensatory mechanism under conditions of early MUN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louiza Belkacemi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA and David-Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
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Zhu X, Jiang S, Hu Y, Zheng X, Zou S, Wang Y, Zhu X. The expression of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 in fetal membranes and placenta in term pregnancies complicated by idiopathic polyhydramnios. Early Hum Dev 2010; 86:657-63. [PMID: 20732771 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2010.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2009] [Revised: 07/04/2010] [Accepted: 07/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aquaporins are a family of membrane-bound water channel proteins that regulate the flow of water across a variety of biological membranes. The expression of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 has been demonstrated in human chorioamniotic membrane and placenta. But their roles in the pathophysiology of polyhydramnios are unclear. AIMS To study the expression of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 in fetal membranes and placenta in term pregnancies complicated by idiopathic polyhydramnios and to explore the association between aquaporin expressions and polyhydramnios. SUBJECTS The placentas were collected from 51 patients who underwent elective Cesarean sections at term, of which 21 cases had idiopathic polyhydramnios and the other 30 had normal amniotic fluid volume. OUTCOME MEASURES Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to determine the expression and localization of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 in the amnion, chorion and placenta. RESULTS Expression of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 was detected in the amnion, chorion and placenta and located in amnion epithelia, chorion cytotrophoblasts and placental trophoblast. Compared to normal amniotic fluid volume group, the expression of aquaporin 8 in amnion, and aquaporin 9 in amnion and chorion, were significantly increased in idiopathic polyhydramnios group; however, their expression in the placenta was significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS When polyhydramnios occurs, expression of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 in fetal membranes and placenta is an adaptive change, which may be involved in the regulation of amniotic fluid volume. However, the modulation factors of the aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 expressions need further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqiong Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325027, China.
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Soria LR, Gradilone SA, Larocca MC, Marinelli RA. Glucagon induces the gene expression of aquaporin-8 but not that of aquaporin-9 water channels in the rat hepatocyte. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2009; 296:R1274-81. [PMID: 19193945 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.90783.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Glucagon stimulates the vesicle trafficking of aquaporin-8 (AQP8) water channels to the rat hepatocyte canalicular membranes, a process thought to be relevant to glucagon-induced bile secretion. In this study, we investigated whether glucagon is able to modulate the gene expression of hepatocyte AQP8. Glucagon was administered to rats at 0.2 mg/100 g body wt ip in 2, 3, or 6 equally spaced doses for 8, 16, and 36 h, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis showed that hepatic 34-kDa AQP8 was significantly increased by 79 and 107% at 16 and 36 h, respectively. Hepatic AQP9 protein expression remained unaltered. AQP8 mRNA expression, assessed by real-time PCR, was not modified over time, suggesting a posttranscriptional mechanism of AQP8 protein increase. Glucagon effects on AQP8 were directly studied in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Immunoblotting and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed the specific glucagon-induced AQP8 upregulation. The RNA polymerase II inhibitor actinomycin D was unable to prevent glucagon effect, providing additional support to the nontranscriptional upregulation of AQP8. Cycloheximide also showed no effect, suggesting that glucagon-induced AQP8 expression does not depend on protein synthesis but rather on protein degradation. Inhibitory experiments suggest that a reduced calpain-mediated AQP8 proteolysis could be involved. The action of glucagon on hepatocyte AQP8 was mimicked by dibutyryl cAMP and suppressed by PKA or phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors. In conclusion, our data suggest that glucagon induces the gene expression of rat hepatocyte AQP8 by reducing its degradation, a process that involves cAMP-PKA and PI3K signal pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro R Soria
- Instituto de Fisiología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Santa Fe, Argentina
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Liu H, Zheng Z, Wintour E. Aquaporins and Fetal Fluid Balance. Placenta 2008; 29:840-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2008.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2008] [Revised: 07/20/2008] [Accepted: 07/24/2008] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Belkacemi L, Beall MH, Magee TR, Pourtemour M, Ross MG. AQP1 gene expression is upregulated by arginine vasopressin and cyclic AMP agonists in trophoblast cells. Life Sci 2008; 82:1272-80. [PMID: 18538351 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2008.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2008] [Revised: 04/05/2008] [Accepted: 04/22/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels that regulate water flow in many tissues. As AQP1 is a candidate to regulate placental fluid exchange, we sought to investigate the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and cAMP agonists on AQP1 gene expression in first trimester-derived extravillous cytotrophoblasts (HTR-8/Svneo) and two highly proliferative carcinoma trophoblast-like cell lines but with a number of functional features of the syncytiotrophoblast namely; JAR and JEG-3 cells. Our data demonstrated that AVP (0.1 nM) significantly increased the expression of AQP1 mRNA at 10 h in HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells (P<0.05). Both SP-cAMP, a membrane-permeable and phosphodiesterase resistant cAMP, and forskolin, an adenylate cyclase stimulator significantly increased AQP1 mRNA expression in all cell lines after 2 h in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05) with a parallel increase in protein expression. In the time course study, 5 microM of either SP-cAMP or forskolin significantly stimulated AQP1 mRNA expression after 2 h in HTR-8/SVneo cells and after 10 h in JAR and JEG-3 cells. AQP1 protein expression was highest after 20 h in both HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells (P<0.05). AVP-stimulated cAMP elevation was blocked in the presence of 9-(tetrahydro-2'-furyl) adenine (SQ22536) (100 microM), a cell-permeable adenylate cyclase inhibitor (P<0.05). These results indicate that in trophoblasts-like cells AQP1 gene expression is upregulated by both AVP and cAMP agonists. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that a cAMP-dependent pathway is responsible for the AVP effect on AQP1. Thus, modulation of AQP1 expression by maternal hormones may regulate invasion and fetal-placental-amnion water homeostasis during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louiza Belkacemi
- Perinatal Research Laboratories, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David-Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90502, USA.
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Amidi F, Beall M, Ross MG. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate regulation of aquaporin gene expression in human amnion epithelia. Reprod Sci 2007; 14:234-40. [PMID: 17636236 DOI: 10.1177/1933719107300970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cell membrane aquaporins (AQPs) may con t r i b u t e importantly to the regulation of intramembranous absorption of amniotic fluid. Recently, the authors demonstrated that human amnion AQP3 expression is upregulated by second-messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The present study was undertaken to determine the cAMP regulation of other AQP types, specifically AQP1, 8, and 9, in human amnion epithelia in vitro. Human amnion epithelial cell cultures were prepared from amnion of normal-term pregnancy. To investigate the effect of cAMP on AQP expression, primary human amnion cell cultures were incubated for 2, 10, and 20 hours with culture medium containing either 50 microM forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator that stimulates cellular production of cAMP, or 100 microM SP-cAMP, a cAMP agonist that stimulates protein kinase A. Total RNA was isolated from the cultured cells, and semiquantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was carried out to determine the relative level of AQPs mRNA expression. In primary amnion epithelial cell culture, AQP1 mRNA expression increased significantly at 10 hours (0.219 +/- 0.006 to 0.314 +/- 0.008, P < .05) and remained elevated for 20 hours (0.223 +/- 0.004 to 0.323 +/- 0.012, P < .05) following forskolin treatment. AQP8 mRNA expression increased significantly at 2 hours (0.069 +/- 0.003 to 0.086 +/- 0.012, P < .05) and remained upregulated for 20 hours following forskolin treatment. Forskolin stimulation of AQP9 mRNA expression was evidenced by 10 hours (0.098 +/- 0.005 to 0.115 +/- 0.006, P < .05) and maintained for 20 hours. In contrast to forskolin, SP-cAMP incubation resulted in no change in AQP1, 8, or 9 mRNA expression. Human amnion epithelial cell AQP1, 8, and 9 mRNA expression is upregulated by cAMP as their expression is simulated by forskolin. Lack of effect of SP-cAMP, the protein kinase A activator, on AQP1, 8, and 9 mRNA expression suggests that cAMP upregulates human amnion AQP1, 8, and 9 mRNA expression via the protein kinase A independent pathway.
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Abstract
Water arrives in the mammalian gestation from the maternal circulation across the placenta. It then circulates between the fetal water compartments, including the fetal body compartments, the placenta and the amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is created by the flow of fluid from the fetal lung and bladder. A major pathway for amniotic fluid resorption is fetal swallowing; however, in many cases the amounts of fluid produced and absorbed do not balance. A second resorption pathway, the intramembranous pathway (across the amnion to the fetal circulation), has been proposed to explain the maintenance of normal amniotic fluid volume. Amniotic fluid volume is thus a function both of the amount of water transferred to the gestation across the placental membrane, and the flux of water across the amnion. Water flux across biologic membranes may be driven by osmotic or hydrostatic forces; existing data suggest that intramembranous flow in humans is driven by the osmotic difference between the amniotic fluid and the fetal serum. The driving force for placental flow is more controversial, and both forces may be in effect. The mechanism(s) responsible for regulating water flow to and from the amniotic fluid is unknown. In other parts of the body, notably the kidney, water flux is regulated by the expression of aquaporin water channels on the cell membrane. We hypothesize that aquaporins have a role in regulating water flux across both the amnion and the placenta, and present evidence in support of this theory. Current knowledge of gestational water flow is sufficient to allow prediction of fetal outcome when water flow is abnormal, as in twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Further insight into these mechanisms may allow novel treatments for amniotic fluid volume abnormalities with resultant improvement in clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Beall
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W. Carson Street, Box 3, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
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Jablonski EM, Mattocks MA, Sokolov E, Koniaris LG, Hughes FM, Fausto N, Pierce RH, McKillop IH. Decreased aquaporin expression leads to increased resistance to apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2006; 250:36-46. [PMID: 17084522 PMCID: PMC1934939 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2006.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2006] [Revised: 09/12/2006] [Accepted: 09/15/2006] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cells undergoing apoptosis are characterized by decreased cell size due to changes in intracellular ion concentration and rapid, aquaporin (AQP)-dependent water movement out of the cell, events required for the activation of pro-apoptotic enzymes. The current study demonstrates AQP 8 and 9 expression is significantly decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) versus normal liver. Isolation of hepatic tumor cells (H4IIE) and hepatocytes confirmed a lack of water movement across the H4IIE cell membrane via AQPs and identified an inherent resistance of H4IIE cells to apoptotic stimuli. In contrast, hepatocytes rapidly responded to osmotic challenge through AQP-dependent water movement and underwent cell death following apoptotic stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M. Adrian Mattocks
- Department of Biology, UNC at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC
| | - Eugene Sokolov
- Department of Biology, UNC at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC
| | - Leonidas G. Koniaris
- Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery and The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Francis M. Hughes
- Department of Biology, UNC at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC
| | - Nelson Fausto
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Robert H. Pierce
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, NY
| | - Iain H. McKillop
- Department of Biology, UNC at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC
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Placental and membrane aquaporin water channels: correlation with amniotic fluid volume and composition. Placenta 2006; 28:421-8. [PMID: 16870248 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2006.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2006] [Revised: 05/19/2006] [Accepted: 06/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the role of aquaporins (AQPs) in the regulation of amniotic fluid (AF) volume, we determined AF volume and composition and placental and fetal membrane AQP expression throughout the second half of murine gestation. METHODS Pregnant CD1 mice were sacrificed at e10-19 and AF volume and composition determined. Placenta and fetal membranes were screened for AQP gene expression. AQP gene expression was quantified by real-time RT PCR and protein location determined by immunohistochemistry. Changes in AF volume were correlated with AQP expression. RESULTS Both membranes and placenta demonstrated expression of AQP1, -3, -8 and -9. Advancing gestation was associated with increased AF volume from e10 to e16, with a marked decrease in AF volume from e16 to e19. By immunohistochemistry, AQP1 was localized to placental vessels and AQP3 to trophoblast. AF volume was negatively correlated with fetal membrane AQP1 and placental AQP1 and AQP9 expression, and positively correlated with placental AQP3 expression. CONCLUSION Changes in AQPs with advancing gestation, and their correlation with AF volume, suggest a role in mediating placental and membrane water flow and ultimately AF volume. AQP1 appears to regulate fetal membrane water flow, and AQP3 is a likely candidate for the regulation of placental water flow.
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Huang HF, He RH, Sun CC, Zhang Y, Meng QX, Ma YY. Function of aquaporins in female and male reproductive systems. Hum Reprod Update 2006; 12:785-95. [PMID: 16840793 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dml035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The flow of water and some other small molecules across cell membranes is important in many of the processes underlying reproduction. The fluid movement is strongly associated with the presence of aquaporins (AQPs) in the female and male reproductive systems. It has been suggested that AQPs mediate water movement into the antral follicle and play important roles in follicle development. AQPs are known to be involved in the early stage of spermatogenesis, in the secretion of tubule liquid and in the concentration and storage of spermatozoa. Fluid reabsorption in some regions of the male reproductive tract is under steroid hormone control and could be mediated by various AQPs. Also AQPs take part in the processes of fertilization, blastocyst formation (as the pathway for transtrophoectodermal water movement during cavitation) and implantation. Alterations in the expression and function or regulation of AQPs have already been demonstrated in disorders of the male reproductive system, such as abnormal sperm motility, the abnormal epididymis and infertility seen in cystic fibrosis, and varicocele. This article extensively reviews the distribution of AQPs in mammalian reproductive tissues and discusses their possible physiological and pathophysiological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- He-Feng Huang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Wang S, Amidi F, Beall M, Gui L, Ross MG. Aquaporin 3 expression in human fetal membranes and its up-regulation by cyclic adenosine monophosphate in amnion epithelial cell culture. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 13:181-5. [PMID: 16638588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsgi.2006.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The cell membrane water channel protein aquaporins (AQPs) may be important in regulating the intramembranous (IM) pathway of amniotic fluid (AF) resorption. The objective of the present study was to determine whether aquaporin 3 (AQP3) is expressed in human fetal membranes and to further determine if AQP3 expression in primary human amnion cell culture is regulated by second-messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). METHODS AQP3 expression in human fetal membranes of normal term pregnancy was studied by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). To determine the effect of cAMP on AQP3 expression, primary human amnion cell cultures were treated in either heat-inactivated medium alone (control), or heat-inactivated medium containing: (1) SP-cAMP, a membrane-permeable and phosphodiesterase resistant cAMP agonist, or (2) forskolin, an adenylate cyclase stimulator. Total RNA was isolated and multiplex real-time RT-PCR employed for relative quantitation of AQP3 expression. RESULTS We detected AQP3 expression in placenta, chorion, and amnion using RT-PCR. Using IHC, we identified AQP3 protein expression in placenta syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts, chorion cytotrophoblasts, and amnion epithelia. In primary amnion epithelial cell culture, AQP3 mRNA significantly increased at 2 hours following forskolin or SP-cAMP, remained elevated at 10 hours following forskolin, and returned to baseline levels by 20 hours following treatment. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence of AQP3 expression in human fetal membranes and demonstrates that AQP3 expression in primary human amnion cell culture is up-regulated by second-messenger cAMP. As AQP3 is permeable to water, urea, and glycerol, modulation of its expression in fetal membranes may contribute to AF homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengbiao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California 90502, USA.
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Fernández-Veledo S, Valdés R, Wallenius V, Casado FJ, Pastor-Anglada M. Up-regulation of the high-affinity pyrimidine-preferring nucleoside transporter concentrative nucleoside transporter 1 by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in liver parenchymal cells. J Hepatol 2004; 41:538-44. [PMID: 15464233 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2004.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2004] [Revised: 05/20/2004] [Accepted: 06/09/2004] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Concentrative nucleoside transporter 1 (CNT1), a high affinity transporter for pyrimidine nucleosides, is responsible for their Na+-dependent concentrative uptake into hepatocytes. Though CNT1 protein amounts increase in rat liver soon after partial hepatectomy, the physiological regulators of CNT1 expression have not yet been identified. METHODS Rat hepatoma cell lines and hepatocytes isolated from fetuses and adult rats were used to identify single agents able to up-regulate CNT1 expression and activity in liver. TNF-alpha receptor-I (TNFRI) and IL-6 knock-out mice were also used to study CNT1 regulation in vivo. RESULTS TNF-alpha and IL-6 independently induced CNT1 protein expression in cultured liver parenchymal and FAO hepatoma cells by PI-3 kinase- and ERK-dependent mechanisms, respectively. In vivo data showed that transporter protein levels were low in livers from TNFRI knock-out mice, but not in those from IL-6 deficient animals. However, IL-6 administration only partially restored CNT1 expression in the former model. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies TNF-alpha as a major in vivo modulator of the nucleoside transporter CNT1 and suggests a secondary role for IL-6 in mediating CNT1 up-regulation by TNF-alpha in vivo. Evidence is provided that two independent pathways are involved in the up-regulation of CNT1 by TNF-alpha and IL-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Fernández-Veledo
- Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal 645, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Grover A, Sairam MR, Smith CE, Hermo L. Structural and functional modifications of sertoli cells in the testis of adult follicle-stimulating hormone receptor knockout mice. Biol Reprod 2004; 71:117-29. [PMID: 14998910 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.103.027003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) plays important roles during testicular development and in the maintenance of spermatogenesis in the adult. However, the cellular events or pathways that FSH regulates to achieve these effects in Sertoli cells, where the FSH receptors (FSH-R) are located, is still not fully elucidated. The development of FSH-R knockout (FORKO) mice provides a model to examine alterations in testicular structure and function in its absence. To this end, light (LM) and electron microscopic (EM) analyses of perfusion-fixed testes of wild-type and FORKO mice of different ages were performed. Under the LM, a significant reduction was noted in the profile area of seminiferous tubules of FORKO mice compared with their wild-type counterparts at different ages. In addition, FORKO testes revealed large irregularly shaped spaces within the seminiferous epithelium, extending from the base to the lumen. Such spaces were often separated by anastomotic cords of spherical germ cells or completely surrounded elongating spermatids. This phenotype was restricted to half or less of the circumference of only some tubules, but was seen at all stages. EM analyses revealed that the spaces corresponded to an apparent accumulation of fluid in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm, coincident with an absence of the fine flocculent ground substance seen in wild-type mice. However, the Sertoli organelles, while less prominent, appeared intact and to be floating in the enlarged fluid-filled cytoplasm. Functionally, androgen-binding protein (ABP), a major secretory protein of Sertoli cells, was dramatically reduced in FORKO mice. These results suggest that FSH-R signaling normally maintains water balance in Sertoli cells in addition to regulating ABP production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Grover
- Molecular Reproduction Research Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2W 1R7
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