AQUAPORIN EXPRESSION IN THE HUMAN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC

IntroductionThe intervertebral disc (IVD) is a highly hydrated tissue which is reduced during degeneration leading to loss of function. Aquaporins (AQP) are a family of 13 (AQP0-12) transmembrane channel proteins that selectively allow the passage of water and other small molecules in and out of cells and are responsible for maintaining water homeostasis. AQP1, 2, 3 and 5 have been identified in the IVD. Here gene and protein expression of all 13 AQPs was investigated in a large cohort of human IVDs to investigate expression during IVD degeneration.MethodsGene expression of all 13 AQPs was investigated in non-degenerate and degenerate tissue from 102 human NP samples using RT-qPCR. AQPs which were expressed at gene level were further investigated in 30 IVD samples by Immunohistochemistry.ResultsAt gene level, AQP0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 were expressed in both non-degenerate and degenerate tissue. For the first time, protein expression of AQP6, 7 and 9 was identified in human IVD tissue, in which AQP2 ...