Aquaporin-4 deletion in mice reduces brain edema after acute water intoxication and ischemic stroke

Cerebral edema contributes significantly to morbidity and death associated with many common neurological disorders. However, current treatment options are limited to hyperosmolar agents and surgical decompression, therapies introduced more than 70 years ago. Here we show that mice deficient in aquaporin-4 (AQP4), a glial membrane water channel, have much better survival than wild-type mice in a model of brain edema caused by acute water intoxication. Brain tissue water content and swelling of pericapillary astrocytic foot processes in AQP4-deficient mice were significantly reduced. In another model of brain edema, focal ischemic stroke produced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, AQP4-deficient mice had improved neurological outcome. Cerebral edema, as measured by percentage of hemispheric enlargement at 24 h, was decreased by 35% in AQP4-deficient mice. These results implicate a key role for AQP4 in modulating brain water transport, and suggest that AQP4 inhibition may provide a new therapeutic option for reducing brain edema in a wide variety of cerebral disorders.     

Probenecid Protects Against Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemic Injury by Inhibiting HMGB1 Release and Attenuating AQP4 Expression in Mice

Stroke results in inflammation, brain edema, and neuronal death. However, effective neuroprotectants are not available. Recent studies have shown that high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes to ischemic brain injury. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), a water channel protein, is considered to play a pivotal role in ischemia-induced brain edema. More recently, studies have shown that pannexin 1 channels are involved in cerebral ischemic injury and the cellular inflammatory response. Here, we examined whether the pannexin 1 channel inhibitor probenecid could reduce focal ischemic brain injury by inhibiting cerebral inflammation and edema. Transient focal ischemia was induced in C57BL/6J mice by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1 h. Infarct volume, neurological score and cerebral water content were evaluated 48 h after MCAO. Immunostaining, western blot analysis and ELISA were used to assess the effects of probenecid on the cellular inflammatory response, HMGB1 release and AQP4 expression. Administration of probenecid reduced infarct size, decreased cerebral water content, inhibited neuronal death, and reduced inflammation in the brain 48 h after stroke. In addition, HMGB1 release from neurons was significantly diminished and serum HMGB1 levels were substantially reduced following probenecid treatment. Moreover, AQP4 protein expression was downregulated in the cortical penumbra following post-stroke treatment with probenecid. These results suggest that probenecid, a powerful pannexin 1 channel inhibitor, protects against ischemic brain injury by inhibiting cerebral inflammation and edema.     

Expression of aquaporin-4 in human supratentorial meningiomas with peritumoral brain edema and correlation of VEGF with edema formation

Peritumoral brain edema is a common complication of meningiomas. It is believed that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as an angiogenic factor, plays a vital role in edema formation. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a small integral membrane protein that regulates water in the normal brain. However, the expression of AQP4 and its relationship to VEGF in edematous meningiomas are not well known. We studied tumor specimens of 59 human supratentorial meningiomas. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of AQP4, and double-labeling immunofluorescence histochemical staining was performed to determine the relationship between AQP4 and VEGF. The AQP4 expression was significantly higher in the edema group, in which the protein level was correlated with the extent of edema. Greater VEGF expression was also observed in the edema group, and a relationship between AQP4 and VEGF was found. We conclude that AQP4 is involved in peritumoral brain edema formation in meningiomas and is also closely related to the expression of VEGF.     

Changes in Cannabinoid Receptors,Aquaporin 4 and Vimentin Expression after Traumatic Brain Injury in Adolescent Male Mice. Association with Edema and Neurological Deficit

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) incidence rises during adolescence because during this critical neurodevelopmental period some risky behaviors increase. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), blood brain barrier proteins (AQP4) and astrogliosis markers (vimentin) to neurological deficit and brain edema formation in a TBI weight drop model in adolescent male mice. These molecules were selected since they are known to change shortly after lesion. Here we extended their study in three different timepoints after TBI, including short (24h), early mid-term (72h) and late mid-term (two weeks). Our results showed that TBI induced an increase in brain edema up to 72 h after lesion that was directly associated with neurological deficit. Neurological deficit appeared 24 h after TBI and was completely recovered two weeks after trauma. CB1 receptor expression decreased after TBI and was negatively correlated with edema formation and behavioral impairments. CB2 receptor increased after injury and was associated with high neurological deficit whereas no correlation with edema was found. AQP4 increased after TBI and was positively correlated with edema and neurological impairments as occurred with vimentin expression in the same manner. The results suggest that CB1 and CB2 differ in the mechanisms to resolve TBI and also that some of their neuroprotective effects related to the control of reactive astrogliosis may be due to the regulation of AQP4 expression on the end-feet of astrocytes.     

Melatonin renders neuroprotection by protein kinase C mediated aquaporin-4 inhibition in animal model of focal cerebral ischemia

Aim

Aquaporin-4(AQP4) expression in the brain with relation to edema formation following focal cerebral ischemia was investigated. Studies have shown that brain edema is one of the significant factors in worsening stroke outcomes. While many mechanisms may aggravate brain injury, one such potential system may involve AQP4 up regulation in stroke patients that could result in increased edema formation. Post administration of melatonin following ischemic stroke reduces AQP4 mediated brain edema and confers neuroprotection.

Materials and methods

An in-silico approach was undertaken to confirm effective melatonin-AQP4 binding. Rats were treated with 5 mg/kg, i.p. melatonin or placebo at 30 min prior, 60 min post and 120 min post 60 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24 h reperfusion. Rats were evaluated for battery of neurological and motor function tests just before sacrifice. Brains were harvested for infarct size estimation, water content measurement, biochemical analysis, apoptosis study and western blot experiments.

Key findings

Melatonin at 60 min post ischemia rendered neuroprotection as evident by reduction in cerebral infarct volume, improvement in motor and neurological deficit and reduction in brain edema. Furthermore, ischemia induced surge in levels of nitrite and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also found to be significantly reduced in ischemic brain regions in treated animals. Melatonin potentiated intrinsic antioxidant status, inhibited acid mediated rise in intracellular calcium levels, decreased apoptotic cell death and also markedly inhibited protein kinase C (PKC) influenced AQP4 expression in the cerebral cortex and dorsal striatum.

Significance

Melatonin confers neuroprotection by protein kinase C mediated AQP4 inhibition in ischemic stroke.     

ALDH2 Protects Against Ischemic Stroke in Rats by Facilitating 4-HNE Clearance and AQP4 Down-Regulation

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is a new therapeutic target in the central nervous system. However, the association between ALDH2 and brain edema following ischemic stroke (IS) remains unclear. The present study was investigated to whether active ALDH2 can attenuate brain edema by using a rat model of IS, with the aim of clarifying the underlying mechanisms involved. Rats were administered the ALDH2 agonist Alda-1, vehicle or the ALDH2 inhibitor cyanamide (CYA) 15 min prior to a 1.5 h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery. The effects of ALDH2 were subsequently investigated 24 h after reperfusion by evaluating neurological function, infarct sizes, brain edema volumes, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) levels, and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) protein expression. The results demonstrated that increasing ALDH2 activity significantly improved neurological deficits, reduced infarct sizes, and attenuated brain edema after MCAO. Alda-1 administration led to decreased 4-HNE levels and inhibited AQP4 protein expression in the peri-infarct section of the brain. Whereas, CYA administration increased 4-HNE levels, AQP4 expression, and simultaneously aggravated brain edema following MCAO. In conclusion, increasing ALDH2 activity can improve brain edema, infarct volumes, and reduce neurological impairment in a rat IS model. The therapeutic benefits of ALDH2 are related to 4-HNE clearance and AQP4 down-regulation.     

Leukotriene D4 induces brain edema and enhances CysLT2 receptor-mediated aquaporin 4 expression

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (including LTC(4), LTD(4), and LTE(4)), potent inflammatory mediators, can induce brain-blood barrier (BBB) disruption and brain edema. These reactions are mediated by their receptors, CysLT(1) and CysLT(2) receptors. On the other hand, aquaporin 4 (AQP4) primarily modulates brain water homeostasis and edema after various injuries. Here, we aimed to determine whether AQP4 is involved in LTD(4)-induced brain edema. LTD(4) (1ng in 0.5mul PBS) microinjection into the cortex increased endogenous IgG exudation (BBB disruption) and water content (brain edema), and enhanced AQP4 expression in mouse brain. The selective CysLT(1) receptor antagonist pranlukast inhibited the IgG exudation, but not the increased water content and AQP4 expression induced by LTD(4). In the cultured rat astrocytes, LTD(4) (10(-9)-10(-7)M, for 24h) similarly enhanced AQP4 expression. The enhanced AQP4 expression was inhibited by Bay u9773, a non-selective CysLT(1)/CysLT(2) receptor antagonist, but not by pranlukast. LTD(4) (10(-9)-10(-7)M) also induced the mRNA expression of CysLT(2) (not CysLT(1)) receptor in astrocytes. These results indicate that LTD(4) modulates brain edema; CysLT(1) receptor mediates vasogenic edema while CysLT(2) receptor may mediate cytotoxic edema via up-regulating AQP4 expression.     

Interleukin-1beta induces the expression of aquaporin-4 through a nuclear factor-kappaB pathway in rat astrocytes

Interleukin (IL)-1beta is known to play a role in the formation of brain edema after various types of injury. Aquaporin (AQP)4 is also reported to be involved in the progression of brain edema. We tested the hypothesis that AQP4 is induced in response to IL-1beta. We found that expression of AQP4 mRNA and protein was significantly up-regulated by IL-1beta in cultured rat astrocytes, and that intracerebroventricular administration of IL-1beta increased the expression of AQP4 protein in rat brain. The effects of IL-1beta on induction of AQP4 were concentration and time dependent. The effects of IL-1beta on AQP4 were mediated through IL-1beta receptors because they were abolished by co-incubation with IL-1 receptor antagonist. It appeared that IL-1beta increased the level of AQP4 mRNA without involvement of de novo protein synthesis because cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, did not inhibit the effects of IL-1beta. Inhibition of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway blocked the induction of AQP4 by IL-1beta in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings show that IL-1beta induces expression of AQP4 through a NF-kappaB pathway without involvement of de novo protein synthesis in rat astrocytes.     

Overexpression of long noncoding RNA Malat1 ameliorates traumatic brain injury induced brain edema by inhibiting AQP4 and the NF-κB/IL-6 pathway

Brain edema is a major traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related neurological complication. In the initiation stage of TBI, brain edema is characterized by astrocyte swelling (cytotoxic edema). We studied the impact of a long noncoding RNA, Malat1, on the TBI-induced astrocyte swelling and brain edema. Our results showed that Malat1 was downregulated in both the TBI rat model and the astrocyte fluid percussion injury (FPI) model, which concurred with brain edema and astrocyte swelling. Overexpression of Malat1 significantly inhibited rat brain edema, meanwhile reducing interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression after TBI. In addition, overexpression of Malat1 ameliorated FPI-induced astrocyte swelling and reduced IL-6 release. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis also corroborated the inhibitory effects of Malat1 on NF-κB and AQP4 expression after FPI. Our results highlighted the protective effects of Malat1 on the TBI-induced brain edema, which were mediated through regulating IL-6, NF-κB, and AQP4 expression. Our study could provide a novel approach for TBI treatment.     

Aquaporin 4 regulates the effects of ovarian hormones on monoamine neurotransmission

Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is the predominant water channels in the brain of mammals. Our previous study has reported that AQP4 knockout induced sex-specific alterations in neurotransmission, indicating that AQP4 might regulate the interaction between sex hormones and neurotransmission. In the present study, we found that AQP4 knockout decreased the concentrations of estrogen and progestogen. Further study showed that exogenous estrogen decreased DA and 5-HT in cortex, reduced DA and 5-HT in striatum, but increased 5-HT in hippocampus in AQP4+/+ male mice. However, in AQP4-/- male mice, exogenous estrogen almost did not alter the levels of neurotransmitters except for decreasing DA in cortex. In female mice, ovariectomy decreased DA in the striatum of AQP4+/+ mice, but did not alter the levels of DA in AQP4-/- mice. These findings reveal for the first time that AQP4 regulates not only water and ion homeostasis but also the functions of ovarian hormone and neurotransmitter.     

脑水肿时紧密连接蛋白occludin及AQP4的表达变化

目的:采用枕大池内注入脂多糖(lipopolysaccharides,LPS)的方法建立大鼠脑水肿模型,观察脑组织病理形态学变化,脑组织含水量(brain water content,BWC),血脑屏障(blood brain barrier,BBB)的紧密连接蛋白Occludin和水通道蛋白-4(aquaporin 4,AQP4)表达水平的动态变化,研究AQP4及Occludin与脑水肿形成的关系,及其可能的作用机制,为临床脑水肿的治疗提供理论依据。方法:选用Wistar健康成年大鼠,随机分为正常对照组,生理盐水组和脂多糖组,后两组的观察时间点选定于造模后3 h、6h、12 h、24 h、72 h。采用经皮穿刺枕大池内注入脂多糖的方法制备脑水肿动物模型,正常对照组、生理盐水组及脂多糖组分别于各时间点进行开颅取脑,测定脑组织含水量,通过HE染色法观察脑组织的病理形态学变化,应用Western blot方法检测occludin的表达变化。应用RT-PCR技术测定脑组织内AQP4mRNA的表达变化。结果:生理盐水组各时间点中有少量AQP4mRNA及occludin蛋白的表达,与正常对照组之间无显著性差异;脂多糖组在造模后3 hAQP4的mRNA表达开始增加,6-12 h达高峰,此后明显下降,随后表达开始减弱,24-72 h表达显著低于生理盐水组;occludin蛋白表达下降出现于造模后3 h,12-24 h下降更明显,72 h表达开始升高。结论:枕大池内注入脂多糖(LPS)所建立脑水肿模型中,脑组织含水量及血脑屏障通透性增加,病理学特点是血管源性脑水肿出现早且持久,后期伴有细胞毒性脑水肿的改变。AQP4早期表达增强是胶质细胞的适应性反应,与血脑屏障的破坏有关,促进了血管源性脑水肿的发生。后期AQP4表达减弱是机体内在防御机制的表现,同时又促进细胞毒性脑水肿的形成。occludin在脑组织中表达量随脑水肿的加重而降低,即与脑水肿的程度呈负相关,目前认为这与脑水肿时内皮细胞通透性增加,血脑屏障的通透性改变,导致occludin的表达下调有关,促进了血管源性脑水肿的发生。针对以上特点,我们可以进一步研究调控AQP4及occludin表达的药物,从而减轻脑损伤后脑水肿的程度,为脑水肿的治疗提供新的临床策略。     

Recombinant hirudin treatment modulates aquaporin-4 and aquaporin-9 expression after intracerebral hemorrhage in vivo

Edema formation has been linked to thrombin toxicity induced by blood clot at the acute stage of intracerebral hemorrhage. Thrombin induces cell toxicity in neuron, microglia and astrocyte. Aquaporin (AQP) 4 and 9 are proteins expressed on astrocyte in rat brain and involved in the brain water accumulation in brain edema. Recombinant hirudin (r-Hirudin) is a direct inhibitor of thrombin that can block the toxicitic effect of thrombin. In this study, we demonstrated that autologous whole blood infusion in caudate nucleus up-regulates the expression of AQP4 and AQP9 mRNAs and proteins. AQP4 and AQP9 mRNAs expression peaked at about 6 h after blood infusion. The AQP4 protein peaked at about 48 h while AQP9 at about 24 h after blood infusion. Thrombin induced up-regulation of AQP4 and AQP9 were inhibited by r-Hirudin administration and significantly decreased the expression of both AQPs. We further investigated the relationship between edema formation and expression of AQP4 and AQP9. The data presented here may be helpful in optimizing r-Hirudin as an anti-thrombin drug in the treatment of edema at the acute stage of ICH. Zhe Sun and Zhenhuan Zhao contributed equally to this article.     

Protection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor to Brain Edema Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Its Involved Mechanisms: Effect of Aquaporin-4

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has protective effects on many neurological diseases. However, whether VEGF acts on brain edema following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is largely unknown. Our previous study has shown aquaporin-4 (AQP4) plays an important role in brain edema elimination following ICH. Meanwhile, there is close relationship between VEGF and AQP4. In this study, we aimed to test effects of VEGF on brain edema following ICH and examine whether they were AQP4 dependent. Recombinant human VEGF165 (rhVEGF165) was injected intracerebroventricularly 1 d after ICH induced by microinjecting autologous whole blood into striatum. We detected perihemotomal AQP4 protein expression, then examined the effects of rhVEGF165 on perihemotomal brain edema at 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after injection in wild type (AQP4^+/+) and AQP4 knock-out (AQP4^−/−) mice. Furthermore, we assessed the possible signal transduction pathways activated by VEGF to regulate AQP4 expression via astrocyte cultures. We found perihemotomal AQP4 protein expression was highly increased by rhVEGF165. RhVEGF165 alleviated perihemotomal brain edema in AQP4^+/+ mice at each time point, but had no effect on AQP4^−/− mice. Perihemotomal EB extravasation was increased by rhVEGF165 in AQP4^−/− mice, but not AQP4^+/+ mice. RhVEGF165 reduced neurological deficits and increased Nissl’s staining cells surrounding hemotoma in both types of mice and these effects were related to AQP4. RhVEGF165 up-regulated phospharylation of C-Jun amino-terminal kinase (p-JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) and AQP4 protein in cultured astrocytes. The latter was inhibited by JNK and ERK inhibitors. In conclusion, VEGF reduces neurological deficits, brain edema, and neuronal death surrounding hemotoma but has no influence on BBB permeability. These effects are closely related to AQP4 up-regulation, possibly through activating JNK and ERK pathways. The current study may present new insights to treatment of brain edema following ICH.     

Edaravone attenuates cerebral ischemic injury by suppressing aquaporin-4

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) plays a role in the generation of post-ischemic edema. Pharmacological modulation of AQP4 function may thus provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of stroke, tumor-associated edema, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and other disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with altered brain water balance. Edaravone, a free radical scavenger, is used for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in Japan. In this study, edaravone significantly reduced the infarct area and improved the neurological deficit scores at 24 h after reperfusion in a rat transient focal ischemia model. Furthermore, edaravone markedly reduced AQP4 immunoreactivity and protein levels in the cerebral infarct area. In light of observations that edaravone specifically inhibited AQP4 in a rat transient focal ischemia model, we propose that edaravone might reduce cerebral edema through the inhibition of AQP4 expression following cerebral infarction.     

Estrogen receptor-alpha gene expression in the cortex: Sex differences during development and in adulthood

17β-estradiol is a hormone with far-reaching organizational, activational and protective actions in both male and female brains. The organizational effects of early estrogen exposure are essential for long-lasting behavioral and cognitive functions. Estradiol mediates many of its effects through the intracellular receptors, estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor-beta (ERβ). In the rodent cerebral cortex, estrogen receptor expression is high early in postnatal life and declines dramatically as the animal approaches puberty. This decline is accompanied by decreased expression of ERα mRNA. This change in expression is the same in both males and females in the developing isocortex and hippocampus. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) gene expression is critical for understanding the developmental, as well as changes in postpubertal expression of the estrogen receptor. One mechanism of suppressing gene expression is by the epigenetic modification of the promoter regions by DNA methylation that results in gene silencing. The decrease in ERα mRNA expression during development is accompanied by an increase in promoter methylation. Another example of regulation of ERα gene expression in the adult cortex is the changes that occur following neuronal injury. Many animal studies have demonstrated that the endogenous estrogen, 17β-estradiol, is neuroprotective. Specifically, low levels of estradiol protect the cortex from neuronal death following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In females, this protection is mediated through an ERα-dependent mechanism. ERα expression is rapidly increased following MCAO in females, but not in males. This increase is accompanied by a decrease in methylation of the promoter suggesting a return to the developmental program of gene expression within neurons. Taken together, during development and in adulthood, regulation of ERα gene expression in the cortex can occur by DNA methylation and in a sex-dependent fashion in the adult brain.     

Glial cell aquaporin-4 overexpression in transgenic mice accelerates cytotoxic brain swelling

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a water transport protein expressed in glial cell plasma membranes, including glial cell foot processes lining the blood-brain barrier. AQP4 deletion in mice reduces cytotoxic brain edema produced by different pathologies. To determine whether AQP4 is rate-limiting for brain water accumulation and whether altered AQP4 expression, as occurs in various pathologies, could have functional importance, we generated mice that overexpressed AQP4 in brain glial cells by a transgenic approach using the glial fibrillary acid protein promoter. Overexpression of AQP4 protein in brain by approximately 2.3-fold did not affect mouse survival, appearance, or behavior, nor did it affect brain anatomy or intracranial pressure (ICP). However, following acute water intoxication produced by intraperitoneal water injection, AQP4-overexpressing mice had an accelerated progression of cytotoxic brain swelling, with ICP elevation of 20 +/- 2 mmHg at 10 min, often producing brain herniation and death. In contrast, ICP elevation was 14 +/- 2 mmHg at 10 min in control mice and 9.8 +/- 2 mmHg in AQP4 knock-out mice. The deduced increase in brain water content correlated linearly with brain AQP4 protein expression. We conclude that AQP4 expression is rate-limiting for brain water accumulation, and thus, that altered AQP4 expression can be functionally significant.     

Aquaporin-4 gene deletion in mice increases focal edema associated with staphylococcal brain abscess

Brain abscess is associated with local vasogenic edema, which leads to increased intracranial pressure and significant morbidity. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a water channel expressed in astroglia at the blood-brain and brain-CSF barriers. To investigate the role of AQP4 in brain abscess-associated edema, live Staphylococcus aureus (10(5) colony-forming units) was injected into the striatum to create a focal abscess. Wild-type and AQP4-deficient mice had comparable immune responses as measured by brain abscess volume (approximately 3.7 mm3 at 3 days), bacterial count and cytokine levels in brain homogenates. Blood-brain barrier permeability was increased comparably in both groups as assessed by extravasation of Evans blue dye. However, at 3 days the AQP4 null mice had significantly higher intracranial pressure (mean +/- SEM 27 +/- 2 vs. 17 +/- 2 mmHg; p < 0.001) and brain water content (81.0 +/- 0.3 vs. 79.3 +/- 0.5 % water by weight in the abscess-containing hemisphere; p < 0.01) than wild-type mice. Reactive astrogliosis was found throughout the abscess-containing hemisphere; however, only a subset of astrocytes in the peri-abscess region of wild-type mice had increased AQP4 immunoreactivity. Our findings demonstrate a protective effect of AQP4 on brain swelling in bacterial abscess, suggesting that AQP4 induction may reduce vasogenic edema associated with cerebral infection.     

胆红素脑病SD乳鼠模型中脑水通道蛋白-4表达发生变化

神经细胞水肿是胆红素脑病（bilirubin encephalopathy,BE）发生发展过程中的重要病理变化。水通道蛋白-4（aquaporin-4,AQP4）的表达及分布异常与多种疾病所致细胞毒性脑水肿的发生发展具有密切联系。但胆红素脑病中AQP4的表达变化规律及其在病理进展中的作用尚不清楚。采用7日龄SD大鼠小脑延髓池注射胆红素溶液的方法,建立新生大鼠胆红素脑病模型。胆红素脑病模型根据胆红素作用时间的不同,分为12 h、24 h、48 h、72 h和7 d组。采用HE及尼氏染色,检测各新生大鼠脑组织的病理改变;应用透射电镜(TEM),检测胆红素作用24 h后,鼠脑组织超微结构的变化;应用免疫荧光及Western 印迹,检测 AQP4在脑组织中的表达变化。通过上述实验,以探讨AQP4的表达变化与胆红素所致脑损伤的关系。HE及尼氏染色结果显示,随着胆红素沉积时间的延长,神经细胞逐渐肿胀,细胞间隙增大,尼氏小体数量逐渐减少;电镜结果显示,胆红素脑病24 h后神经细胞线粒体出现肿胀;免疫荧光染色显示,24 h组AQP4的表达范围明显增加,其后表达范围逐渐减少,表达强度也随之减弱;Western 印迹结果显示,AQP4表达在不同时间点呈现先增高后降低的趋势,在24 h达到峰值（24 h组1.38 ± 0.11 vs 对照组0.87 ± 0.21, P＜0.05）,在之后的各时间点上,AQP4的表达呈现下降趋势,而72 h组与7 d组AQP4表达均低于48 h组（P＜0.05）,基本恢复到对照组的表达水平（P＞0.05）。上述结果提示,胆红素脑病中胆红素的毒性作用将引起AQP4表达量的改变,AQP4的表达变化与胆红素脑病中细胞毒性脑水肿的发生相关,并且可能在胆红素脑病脑损伤的进展中发挥作用。     

胆红素脑病SD乳鼠模型中脑水通道蛋白-4表达发生变化

神经细胞水肿是胆红素脑病（bilirubin encephalopathy,BE）发生发展过程中的重要病理变化。水通道蛋白-4（aquaporin-4,AQP4）的表达及分布异常与多种疾病所致细胞毒性脑水肿的发生发展具有密切联系。但胆红素脑病中AQP4的表达变化规律及其在病理进展中的作用尚不清楚。采用7日龄SD大鼠小脑延髓池注射胆红素溶液的方法,建立新生大鼠胆红素脑病模型。胆红素脑病模型根据胆红素作用时间的不同,分为12 h、24 h、48 h、72 h和7 d组。采用HE及尼氏染色,检测各新生大鼠脑组织的病理改变;应用透射电镜(TEM),检测胆红素作用24 h后,鼠脑组织超微结构的变化;应用免疫荧光及Western 印迹,检测 AQP4在脑组织中的表达变化。通过上述实验,以探讨AQP4的表达变化与胆红素所致脑损伤的关系。HE及尼氏染色结果显示,随着胆红素沉积时间的延长,神经细胞逐渐肿胀,细胞间隙增大,尼氏小体数量逐渐减少;电镜结果显示,胆红素脑病24 h后神经细胞线粒体出现肿胀;免疫荧光染色显示,24 h组AQP4的表达范围明显增加,其后表达范围逐渐减少,表达强度也随之减弱;Western 印迹结果显示,AQP4表达在不同时间点呈现先增高后降低的趋势,在24 h达到峰值（24 h组1.38 ± 0.11 vs 对照组0.87 ± 0.21, P＜0.05）,在之后的各时间点上,AQP4的表达呈现下降趋势,而72 h组与7 d组AQP4表达均低于48 h组（P＜0.05）,基本恢复到对照组的表达水平（P＞0.05）。上述结果提示,胆红素脑病中胆红素的毒性作用将引起AQP4表达量的改变,AQP4的表达变化与胆红素脑病中细胞毒性脑水肿的发生相关,并且可能在胆红素脑病脑损伤的进展中发挥作用。