Lipopolysaccharide changes the subcellular distribution of aquaporin 5 and increases plasma membrane water permeability in mouse lung epithelial cells

Aquaporin-5 (AQP5), a major water channel in lung epithelial cells, plays an important role in maintaining water homeostasis in the lungs. Cell surface expression of AQP5 is regulated by not only mRNA and protein synthesis but also changes in subcellular distribution. We investigated the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the subcellular distribution of AQP5 in a mouse lung epithelial cell line (MLE-12). LPS caused significant increases in AQP5 in the plasma membrane at 0.5-2 h. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting strongly suggested that LPS altered AQP5 subcellular distribution from an intracellular vesicular compartment to the plasma membrane. The specific p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB 203580 apparently prevented LPS-induced changes in AQP5 distribution. Furthermore, LPS increased the osmotic water permeability of MLE-12 cells. These findings demonstrate that LPS increases cell surface AQP5 expression by changing its subcellular distribution and increases membrane osmotic water permeability through activation of p38 MAP kinase.     

Salivary acinar cells from aquaporin 5-deficient mice have decreased membrane water permeability and altered cell volume regulation

Aquaporins (AQPs) are channel proteins that regulate the movement of water through the plasma membrane of secretory and absorptive cells in response to osmotic gradients. In the salivary gland, AQP5 is the major aquaporin expressed on the apical membrane of acinar cells. Previous studies have shown that the volume of saliva secreted by AQP5-deficient mice is decreased, indicating a role for AQP5 in saliva secretion; however, the mechanism by which AQP5 regulates water transport in salivary acinar cells remains to be determined. Here we show that the decreased salivary flow rate and increased tonicity of the saliva secreted by Aqp5(-)/- mice in response to pilocarpine stimulation are not caused by changes in whole body fluid homeostasis, indicated by similar blood gas and electrolyte concentrations in urine and blood in wild-type and AQP5-deficient mice. In contrast, the water permeability in parotid and sublingual acinar cells isolated from Aqp5(-)/- mice is decreased significantly. Water permeability decreased by 65% in parotid and 77% in sublingual acinar cells from Aqp5(-)/- mice in response to hypertonicity-induced cell shrinkage and hypotonicity-induced cell swelling. These data show that AQP5 is the major pathway for regulating the water permeability in acinar cells, a critical property of the plasma membrane which determines the flow rate and ionic composition of secreted saliva.     

All-trans retinoic acid increases expression of aquaporin-5 and plasma membrane water permeability via transactivation of Sp1 in mouse lung epithelial cells

Aquaporin-5 (AQP5) is a water-selective channel protein that is expressed in lacrimal glands, salivary glands, and distal lung. Several studies using AQP5 knockout mice have revealed that AQP5 plays an important role in maintaining water homeostasis in the lung. We report here that all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) increases plasma membrane water permeability, AQP5 mRNA and protein expression, and AQP5 promoter activity in MLE-12 cells. The promoter activation induced by atRA was diminished by mutation at the Sp1/Sp3 binding element (SBE), suggesting that the SBE mediates the effects of atRA. In addition, atRA increased the binding of Sp1 to the SBE without changing the levels of Sp1 in the nucleus. Taken together, our data indicate that atRA increases AQP5 expression through transactivation of Sp1, leading to an increase in plasma membrane water permeability.     

吸烟大鼠肺脏AQP4和MUC5AC的表达及其与一氧化氮的关系

目的：研究烟草烟雾吸入对大鼠肺组织水通道蛋白4（AQP4）和粘蛋白5AC（MUC5AC）表达的影响及其与支气管肺泡灌洗液内一氧化氮代谢物水平的关系,探讨氧化应激对肺部水转运和粘液分泌的影响。方法：免疫组化法观察AQP4在肺组织内的表达,平均光密度法比较模型组和空白组大鼠AQP4的表达差异;半定量RT—PCR法检测肺组织内AQP4及MUC5ACmRNA的表达水平;硝酸还原酶法测定各组大鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液内一氧化氮代谢产物的浓度,分析模型组AQP4、MUC5ACmRNA的表达水平与支气管肺泡灌洗液内一氧化氮代谢物浓度之间的相关关系：结果：AQP4在空白对照组呈强阳性染色,在模型组呈弱阳性染色,两者平均光密度值有显著差异（P〈0．05）。模型组动物肺组织AQP4mRNA的表达降低,MUC5ACmRNA的表达升高,与空白组比较均有显著差异（P〈0．05）,模型组动物支气管肺泡灌洗液内一氧化氮代谢产物的浓度与肺组织AQP4mRNA表达水平呈负相关,相关系数r=-0．798,（P〈0．05）,与MUC5ACmRNA的表达水平呈正相关,相关系数r=0．857,（P〈0．05）。结论：吸烟可导致肺组织AQP4表达下降进而影响气道内水的转运。一氧化氮可能参与了烟雾吸入动物模型中AQP4与MUC5AC基因袁达的调控．     

Expression and immunolocalization of aquaporin water channels in rat exocrine pancreas

Both the acinar and ductal cells of the pancreas secrete a near-isotonic fluid and may thus be sites of aquaporin (AQP) water channel expression. Northern blot analysis of mRNA from whole rat pancreas revealed high levels of AQP1 and AQP8 expression, whereas lower levels of AQP4 and AQP5 expression were just detectable by RT-PCR Southern blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry showed that AQP1 is localized in the microvasculature, whereas AQP8 is confined to the apical pole of the acinar cells. No labeling of acinar, ductal, or vascular tissue was detected with antibodies to AQP2-7. With immunoelectron microscopy, AQP8 labeling was observed not only at the apical membrane of the acinar cells but also among small intracellular vesicles in the subapical cytoplasm, suggesting that there may be regulated trafficking of AQP8 to the apical plasma membrane. To evaluate the contribution of AQPs to the membrane water permeability, video microscopy was used to measure the swelling of acinar cells in response to hypotonic stress. Osmotic water permeability was reduced by 90% following exposure to Hg(2+). Since AQP8 is confined to the apical membrane, the marked effect of Hg(2+) suggests that other water channels may be expressed in the basolateral membrane.     

Histamine treatment induces rearrangements of orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs) in human AQP4-expressing gastric cells

To test the involvement of the water channel aquaporin (AQP)-4 in gastric acid physiology, the human gastric cell line (HGT)-1 was stably transfected with rat AQP4. AQP4 was immunolocalized to the basolateral membrane of transfected HGT-1 cells, like in native parietal cells. Expression of AQP4 in transfected cells increased the osmotic water permeability coefficient (Pf) from 2.02 +/- 0.3 x 10-4 to 16.37 +/- 0.5 x 10-4 cm/s at 20 degrees C. Freeze-fracture EM showed distinct orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs), the morphological signature of AQP4, on the plasma membrane of AQP4-expressing cells. Quantitative morphometry showed that the density of OAPs was 2.5 +/- 0.3% under basal condition and decreased by 50% to 1.2 +/- 0.3% after 20 min of histamine stimulation, mainly due to a significant decrease of the OAPs number. Concomitantly, Pf decreased by approximately 35% in 20-min histamine-stimulated cells. Both Pf and OAPs density were not modified after 10 min of histamine exposure, time at which the maximal hormonal response is observed. Cell surface biotinylation experiments confirmed that AQP4 is internalized after 20 min of histamine exposure, which may account for the downregulation of water transport. This is the first evidence for short term rearrangement of OAPs in an established AQP4-expressing cell line.     

AQP0-LTR of the Cat Fr mouse alters water permeability and calcium regulation of wild type AQP0

Aquaporin 0 (AQP0) is the major intrinsic protein of the lens and its water permeability can be modulated by changes in pH and Ca2+. The Cataract Fraser (Cat Fr) mouse accumulates an aberrant AQP0 (AQP0-LTR) in sub-cellular compartments resulting in a congenital cataract. We investigated the interference of AQP0-LTR with normal function of AQP0 in three systems. First, we created a transgenic mouse expressing AQP0 and AQP0-LTR in the lens. Expression of AQP0 did not prevent the congenital cataract but improved the size and transparency of the lens. Second, we measured water permeability of AQP0 co-expressed with AQP0-LTR in Xenopus oocytes. A low expression level of AQP0-LTR decreased the water permeability of AQP0, and a high expression level eliminated its calcium regulation. Third, we studied trafficking of AQP0 and AQP0-LTR in transfected lens epithelial cells. At low expression level, AQP0-LTR migrated with AQP0 toward the cell membrane, but at high expression level, it accumulated in sub-cellular compartments. The deleterious effect of AQP0-LTR on lens development may be explained by lowering water permeability and abolishing calcium regulation of AQP0. This study provides the first evidence that calcium regulation of AQP0 water permeability may be crucial for maintaining normal lens homeostasis and development.     

AQP0-LTR of the Cat mouse alters water permeability and calcium regulation of wild type AQP0

Aquaporin 0 (AQP0) is the major intrinsic protein of the lens and its water permeability can be modulated by changes in pH and Ca²⁺. The Cataract Fraser (Cat^Fr) mouse accumulates an aberrant AQP0 (AQP0-LTR) in sub-cellular compartments resulting in a congenital cataract. We investigated the interference of AQP0-LTR with normal function of AQP0 in three systems. First, we created a transgenic mouse expressing AQP0 and AQP0-LTR in the lens. Expression of AQP0 did not prevent the congenital cataract but improved the size and transparency of the lens. Second, we measured water permeability of AQP0 co-expressed with AQP0-LTR in Xenopus oocytes. A low expression level of AQP0-LTR decreased the water permeability of AQP0, and a high expression level eliminated its calcium regulation. Third, we studied trafficking of AQP0 and AQP0-LTR in transfected lens epithelial cells. At low expression level, AQP0-LTR migrated with AQP0 toward the cell membrane, but at high expression level, it accumulated in sub-cellular compartments. The deleterious effect of AQP0-LTR on lens development may be explained by lowering water permeability and abolishing calcium regulation of AQP0. This study provides the first evidence that calcium regulation of AQP0 water permeability may be crucial for maintaining normal lens homeostasis and development.     

The water channel aquaporin-8 is mainly intracellular in rat hepatocytes, and its plasma membrane insertion is stimulated by cyclic AMP

We previously found that water transport across hepatocyte plasma membranes occurs mainly via a non-channel mediated pathway. Recently, it has been reported that mRNA for the water channel, aquaporin-8 (AQP8), is present in hepatocytes. To further explore this issue, we studied protein expression, subcellular localization, and regulation of AQP8 in rat hepatocytes. By subcellular fractionation and immunoblot analysis, we detected an N-glycosylated band of approximately 34 kDa corresponding to AQP8 in hepatocyte plasma and intracellular microsomal membranes. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy for AQP8 in cultured hepatocytes showed a predominant intracellular vesicular localization. Dibutyryl cAMP (Bt(2)cAMP) stimulated the redistribution of AQP8 to plasma membranes. Bt(2)cAMP also significantly increased hepatocyte membrane water permeability, an effect that was prevented by the water channel blocker dimethyl sulfoxide. The microtubule blocker colchicine but not its inactive analog lumicolchicine inhibited the Bt(2)cAMP effect on both AQP8 redistribution to cell surface and hepatocyte membrane water permeability. Our data suggest that in rat hepatocytes AQP8 is localized largely in intracellular vesicles and can be redistributed to plasma membranes via a microtubule-depending, cAMP-stimulated mechanism. These studies also suggest that aquaporins contribute to water transport in cAMP-stimulated hepatocytes, a process that could be relevant to regulated hepatocyte bile secretion.     

Membrane water permeability and aquaporin expression increase during growth of maize suspension cultured cells

Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels that allow cells to rapidly alter their membrane water permeability. A convenient model for studying AQP expression and activity regulation is Black Mexican Sweet (BMS) maize cultured cells. In an attempt to correlate membrane osmotic water permeability coefficient (P_f) with AQP gene expression, we first examined the expression pattern of 33 AQP genes using macro-array hybridization. We detected the expression of 18 different isoforms representing the four AQP subfamilies, i.e. eight plasma membrane (PIP), five tonoplast (TIP), three small basic (SIP) and two NOD26-like (NIP) AQPs. While the expression of most of these genes was constant throughout all growth phases, mRNA levels of ZmPIP1;3 , ZmPIP2;1 , ZmPIP2;2, ZmPIP2;4 and ZmPIP2;6 increased significantly during the logarithmic growth phase and the beginning of the stationary phase. The use of specific anti-ZmPIP antisera showed that the protein expression pattern correlated well with mRNA levels. Cell pressure probe and protoplast swelling measurements were then performed to determine the P_f. Interestingly, we found that the P_f were significantly increased at the end of the logarithmic growth phase and during the steady-state phase compared to the lag phase, demonstrating a positive correlation between AQP abundance in the plasma membrane and the cell P_f.     

A collaboration of aquaporins handles water transport in relation to the estrous cycle in the bitch uterus

Fluid movement through uterine cell membranes is crucial, as it can modulate the tissue imbibition pattern in the different phases of the estrous cycle. To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying steroid-controlled water handling, the presence and distribution of aquaporins (AQPs), integral membrane channel proteins permitting rapid passive water movement, was explored in bitch uterine tissues. Immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblot analysis were used to study the presence of AQP1, AQP2, and AQP5 in the layers of the bitch uterine wall during the different estrous phases. Presence of endothelial nitric oxide-generating enzyme NO synthase (NOS3) was also investigated, as it is known that the vasodilator NOS3 might be involved in the development of uterine edema. The results demonstrated the following: (1) AQP1, AQP2, and AQP5 were present in the uterus of cycling bitches. (2) AQP1 was localized within uterine mesometrial, myometrial, and endometrial blood vessels and in the circular and longitudinal layers of myometrium. AQP1 localization and expression were unaffected by the estrous cycle. (3) The estrogenic milieu was probably at the basis of AQP2 expression in the glandular and luminal epithelium of the endometrium. (4) AQP5 water channels were present in the apical plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells in coincidence with plasma progesterone increase. (5) NOS3 was localized in the myometrial and epithelial tissues as well as in blood vessels indicating a contribution of this vasoactive peptide to the uterine imbibition processes. Thus, we can hypothesize that a functional and distinctive collaboration exists among diverse AQPs in water handling during the different functional uterine phases.     

Aquaporin-1 in the peritoneal membrane: Implications for water transport across capillaries and peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an established mode of renal replacement therapy, based on the exchange of fluid and solutes between blood in peritoneal capillaries and a dialysate that has been introduced in the peritoneal cavity. The dialysis involves diffusive and convective transports and osmosis through the highly vascularized peritoneal membrane. Computer simulations predicted that the membrane contains ultrasmall pores (radius < 3 A) responsible for the transport of solute-free water across the capillary endothelium during crystalloid osmosis. The distribution of the water channel aquaporin-1 (AQP1), as well as its molecular structure ensuring an exquisite selectivity for water perfectly fit with the characteristics of the ultrasmall pore. Treatment with corticosteroids induces the expression of AQP1 in peritoneal capillaries and increases water permeability and ultrafiltration in rats, without affecting the osmotic gradient and the permeability for small solutes. Studies in knockout mice provided further evidence that osmotically-driven water transport across the peritoneal membrane is mediated by AQP1. AQP1 and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) show a distinct regulation within the endothelium lining peritoneal capillaries. In acute peritonitis, the upregulation of eNOS and increased release of NO dissipate the osmotic gradient and result in ultrafiltration failure, despite the unchanged expression of AQP1. These data illustrate the potential of the peritoneal membrane to investigate the role and regulation of AQP1 in the endothelium. They also emphasize the critical role of AQP1 during peritoneal dialysis and suggest that manipulating AQP1 expression may be used to increase water permeability across the peritoneal membrane.     

Aquaporin water channels and lung physiology

Fluid transport across epithelial and endothelial barriers occurs in the neonatal and adult lungs. Biophysical measurements in the intact lung and cell isolates have indicated that osmotic water permeability is exceptionally high across alveolar epithelia and endothelia and moderately high across airway epithelia. This review is focused on the role of membrane water-transporting proteins, the aquaporins (AQPs), in high lung water permeability and lung physiology. The lung expresses several AQPs: AQP1 in microvascular endothelia, AQP3 in large airways, AQP4 in large- and small-airway epithelia, and AQP5 in type I alveolar epithelial cells. Lung phenotype analysis of transgenic mice lacking each of these AQPs has been informative. Osmotically driven water permeability between the air space and capillary compartments is reduced approximately 10-fold by deletion of AQP1 or AQP5 and reduced even more by deletion of AQP1 and AQP4 or AQP1 and AQP5 together. AQP1 deletion greatly reduces osmotically driven water transport across alveolar capillaries but has only a minor effect on hydrostatic lung filtration, which primarily involves paracellular water movement. However, despite the major role of AQPs in lung osmotic water permeabilities, AQP deletion has little or no effect on physiologically important lung functions, such as alveolar fluid clearance in adult and neonatal lung, and edema accumulation after lung injury. Although AQPs play a major role in renal and central nervous system physiology, the data to date on AQP knockout mice do not support an important role of high lung water permeabilities or AQPs in lung physiology. However, there remain unresolved questions about possible non-water-transporting roles of AQPs and about the role of AQPs in airway physiology, pleural fluid dynamics, and edema after lung infection.     

Freeze-Fracture Analysis of Plasma Membranes of CHO Cells Stably Expressing Aquaporins 1-5

Several studies suggest that aquaporin water channels can be identified in membranes by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. For this report, Chinese Hamster ovary cells were stably transfected with cDNAs encoding aquaporins 1–5. Measurement of the osmotic water permeability of the cells confirmed that functional protein was expressed and delivered to the plasma membrane. By freeze-fracture electron microscopy, a 20% increase in intramembrane particle (IMP) density was found in plasma membranes of cells expressing AQP2, 3 and 5, and a 100% increase was measured in AQP1-expressing cells, when compared to mock-transfected cells. On membranes of cells expressing AQP4, large aggregates of IMPs were organized into orthogonal arrays, which occupied 10–20% of the membrane surface. IMP aggregates were never seen in AQP2-transfected cells. Hexagonally packed IMP clusters were detected in ∼5% of the membranes from AQP3-expressing cells. Particle size-distribution analysis of rotary shadowed IMPs showed a significant shift from 13.5 (control cells) to 8.5 nm or less in AQP-expressing cells; size distribution analysis of unidirectionally shadowed IMPs also showed a significant change when compared to control. Some IMPs in AQP expressing cells had features consistent with the idea that aquaporins are assembled as tetramers. The results demonstrate that in transfected CHO cells, AQP transfection modifies the general appearance and number of IMPs on the plasma membrane, and show that only AQP4 assembles into well-defined IMP arrays. Received: 17 March 1998/Revised: 19 June 1998     

All-trans retinoic acid attenuates ultraviolet radiation-induced down-regulation of aquaporin-3 and water permeability in human keratinocytes

One of the major characteristics of human skin photoaging induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the dehydration of the skin. Water movement across plasma membrane occurs via diffusion through lipid bilayer and via aquaporins (AQPs). We find that UV induces aquaporin-3 (AQP3) down-regulation in human skin keratinocytes. MEK/ERK inhibitors PD98059 and U0126 inhibit UV-induced down-regulation of AQP3. Antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine or NAC blocks UV-induced MEK/ERK activation and down-regulation of AQP3. All-trans retinoic acid or atRA, while alone inducing AQP3 expression, attenuates UV-induced down-regulation of AQP3 and water permeability. Using special inhibitors, we find that activation of EGFR and inhibition on ERK activation are involved in atRA's protective effects against UV-induced AQP3 down-regulation. Using specific AQP3's water transport inhibitors and siRNA knockdown, we observe that AQP3 is involved in cell migration and in vitro wound healing. UV-induced AQP3 down-regulation results in reduced water permeability, decreased cell migration, and delayed wound healing, which are attenuated by atRA pretreatment. We conclude that atRA protects against UV-induced down-regulation AQP3 and decrease in water permeability, reduction in cell migration and delayed in vitro wound healing via trans-activation of EGFR and inhibition on ROS-mediated MEK/ERK pathway. This novel finding provides evidence to support possible involvement of AQP3 in UV induced skin dehydration.     

Microtubules are needed for the perinuclear positioning of aquaporin-2 after its endocytic retrieval in renal principal cells

Water reabsorption in the renal collecting duct is regulated by arginine vasopressin (AVP). AVP induces the insertion of the water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP2) into the plasma membrane of principal cells, thereby increasing the osmotic water permeability. The redistribution of AQP2 to the plasma membrane is a cAMP-dependent process and thus a paradigm for cAMP-controlled exocytic processes. Using primary cultured rat inner medullary collecting duct cells, we show that the redistribution of AQP2 to the plasma membrane is accompanied by the reorganization of microtubules and the redistribution of the small GTPase Rab11. In resting cells, AQP2 is colocalized with Rab11 perinuclearly. AVP induced the redistribution of AQP2 to the plasma membrane and of Rab11 to the cell periphery. The redistribution of both proteins was increased when microtubules were depolymerized by nocodazole. In addition, the depolymerization of microtubules prevented the perinuclear positioning of AQP2 and Rab11 in resting cells, which was restored if nocodazole was washed out and microtubules repolymerized. After internalization of AQP2, induced by removal of AVP, forskolin triggered the AQP2 redistribution to the plasma membrane even if microtubules were depolymerized and without the previous positioning of AQP2 in the perinuclear recycling compartment. Collectively, the data indicate that microtubule-dependent transport of AQP2 is predominantly responsible for trafficking and localization of AQP2 inside the cell after its internalization but not for the exocytic transport of the water channel. We also demonstrate that cAMP-signaling regulates the localization of Rab11-positive recycling endosomes in renal principal cells. dynein; Rab11