Higher order structure of aquaporin-4

The Aquaporin-4 Expression and Localization in the Olfactory Epithelium Modulate the Odorant-Evoked Responses and Olfactory-Driven Behavior

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a water-selective channel expressed in glial cells throughout the central nervous system (CNS). It serves as the primary water channel in the neuropil and plays roles in physiological functions, including regulating water homeostasis by adjusting cell volume and modulating neuronal activity. Different isoforms of AQP4 are expressed in glial-like cells known as sustentacular cells (SUSs) of the olfactory epithelium (OE). Notably, mice lacking all AQP4 isoforms exhibit impaired olfactory abilities. Therefore, we aim to uncover the physiological role of AQP4 isoforms, particularly the AQP4ex isoforms (AQP4M1ex, AQP4M23ex) and the orthogonal array of particles (OAPs)-forming isoform (AQP4M23) in the OE. We investigated the impact of AQP4 isoforms on the OE, observing a reduced number of mature olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), SUSs, and globose basal cells (GBCs) in mice lacking AQP4ex (AQP4ex-KO) or OAPs (OAP-null). This suggests that AQP4 isoforms are involved in maintaining an optimal microenvironment in the OE, preserving cell density. Next, we explored the role of AQP4 in modulating odorant-evoked responses through electro-olfactogram recordings, where we found reduced odorant responses in mice lacking AQP4 isoforms. Assessments of olfactory ability revealed deficits in odor-guided food-seeking behavior in both AQP4ex-KO and OAP-null mice. Furthermore, AQP4ex-KO mice exhibited a diminished ability to discriminate between different odorants, while OAP-null mice were unable to recognize them as distinct. Overall, our data highlight the role of AQP4 isoforms in modulating neuronal homeostasis, influencing odorant-evoked responses and cell density in the OE, with AQP4ex emerging as a key regulator despite its low abundance.

Crucial role of Aquaporin-4 extended isoform in brain water Homeostasis and Amyloid-β clearance: implications for Edema and neurodegenerative diseases

The water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is crucial for water balance in the mammalian brain. AQP4 has two main canonical isoforms, M23, which forms supramolecular structures called Orthogonal Arrays of Particles (OAP) and M1, which does not, along with two extended isoforms (M23ex and M1ex). This study examines these isoforms' roles, particularly AQP4ex, which influences water channel activity and localization at the blood-brain barrier. Using mice lacking both AQP4ex isoforms (AQP4ex-KO) and lacking both AQP4M23 isoforms (OAP-null) mice, we explored brain water dynamics under osmotic stress induced by an acute water intoxication (AWI) model. AQP4ex-KO mice had lower basal brain water content than WT and OAP-null mice. During AWI, brain water content increased rapidly in WT and AQP4ex-KO mice, but was delayed in OAP-null mice. AQP4ex-KO mice had the highest water content increase at 20 min. Immunoblot analysis showed stable total AQP4 in WT mice initially, with increases at 30 min. AQP4ex and its phosphorylated form (p-AQP4ex) levels rose quickly, but the p-AQP4ex/AQP4ex ratio dropped at 20 min. AQP4ex-KO mice showed a compensatory rise in canonical AQP4 at 20 min post-AWI. These findings highlight the important role of AQP4ex in water content dynamics in both normal and pathological states. To evaluate brain waste clearance, amyloid-β (Aβ) removal was assessed using a fluorescent Aβ intra-parenchyma injection model. AQP4ex-KO mice demonstrated markedly impaired Aβ clearance, with extended diffusion distances and reduced fluorescence in cervical lymph nodes, indicating inefficient drainage from the brain parenchyma. Mechanistically, the polarization of AQP4 at astrocytic endfeet is essential for efficient clearance flow, aiding interstitial fluid movement into the CSF and lymphatic system. In AQP4ex-KO mice, disrupted polarization forces reliance on slower, passive diffusion for solute clearance, significantly reducing Aβ removal efficiency and altering extracellular space dynamics. Our results underscore the importance of AQP4ex in both brain water homeostasis and solute clearance, particularly Aβ. These findings highlight AQP4ex as a potential therapeutic target for enhancing waste clearance mechanisms in the brain, which could have significant implications for treating brain edema and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Shifting from ependyma to choroid plexus epithelium and the changing expressions of aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-4

The cells of the choroid plexus (CP) epithelium are specialized ependymal cells (ECs) but have distinct properties. The CP cells and ECs form single-cell sheets contiguous to each other at a transitional zone. The CP is underlined by a basal lamina and has barrier properties, whereas the ECs do not. The basal lamina of the CP is continuous with the glia limitans superficialis and, consequently, the CP stroma is continuous with the meninges along entering blood vessels. The CP has previously been reported to express aquaporin-1 (AQP1) mostly apically, and ECs show mostly basolateral aquaporin-4 (AQP4) expression. Recent evidence in various systems has shown that in changing conditions the expression and distribution of AQP4 can be modified, involving phosphorylation and calmodulin-triggered translocation. Studies on the human CP revealed that AQP4 is also expressed in some CP cells, which is likely to be increased during ageing based on mouse data. Moreover, subependymal astrocytic processes in the ependyma-CP transition, forming a glial plate around blood vessels and facing the CP stroma, were strongly positive for AQP4. We propose that the increased AQP4 expression might be a compensatory mechanism for the observed reduction in CSF production in the ageing human brain. The high AQP4 density in the transition zone might facilitate the transport of water into and out of the CP stroma and serve as a drainage and clearing pathway for metabolites in the CNS.

Aquaporin-4 in glymphatic system, and its implication for central nervous system disorders

The clearance function is essential for maintaining brain tissue homeostasis, and the glymphatic system is the main pathway for removing brain interstitial solutes. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the most abundantly expressed aquaporin in the central nervous system (CNS) and is an integral component of the glymphatic system. In recent years, many studies have shown that AQP4 affects the morbidity and recovery process of CNS disorders through the glymphatic system, and AQP4 shows notable variability in CNS disorders and is part of the pathogenesis of these diseases. Therefore, there has been considerable interest in AQP4 as a potential and promising target for regulating and improving neurological impairment. This review aims to summarize the pathophysiological role that AQP4 plays in several CNS disorders by affecting the clearance function of the glymphatic system. The findings can contribute to a better understanding of the self-regulatory functions in CNS disorders that AQP4 were involved in and provide new therapeutic alternatives for incurable debilitating neurodegenerative disorders of CNS in the future.

Aquaporin-4 Expression in Meningioma Malignancy Progression

Objectives The aim of the present study is to analyze if aquaporin-4 (AQP4) may also be a tumor progression marker for meningiomas.

Methods This is an immunohistochemistry study realized at the Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, state of São Paulo, Brazil: frozen meningioma samples from 81 patients (57 females and 24 males, age range from 22 to 81 years old, average 56.5 ± 14.1 years old), including 57 meningiomas World Health Organization (WHO) grade I (GI); 19 grade II (GII), and 5 grade III (GIII) were analyzed. The relative expression level of AQP4 was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), using the SYBR Green approach and for staining detection. Tissue sections were routinely processed and subjected to antigen retrieval.

Results The expression of AQP4 in meningioma samples ranged from 0 to 10.26, with a median of 0.001 in GI cases, of 0.008 in GII cases, and of 0.006 in GIII cases. Although not statistically significant (p = 0.942), GI meningiomas have a lower median AQP4 expression level than higher malignant grade cases.

Conclusion The AQP4 gene and protein expressions presented no association with meningioma malignant progression.

The Water Transport System in Astrocytes–Aquaporins

Highlights

(AQPs) are transmembrane proteins responsible for fast water movement across cell membranes, including those of astrocytes.

The expression and subcellular localization of AQPs in astrocytes are highly dynamic under physiological and pathological conditions.

Besides their primary function in water homeostasis, AQPs participate in many ancillary functions including glutamate clearance in tripartite synapses and cell migration.

Abstract

Astrocytes have distinctive morphological and functional characteristics, and are found throughout the central nervous system. Astrocytes are now known to be far more than just housekeeping cells in the brain. Their functions include contributing to the formation of the blood–brain barrier, physically and metabolically supporting and communicating with neurons, regulating the formation and functions of synapses, and maintaining water homeostasis and the microenvironment in the brain. Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane proteins responsible for fast water movement across cell membranes. Various subtypes of AQPs (AQP1, AQP3, AQP4, AQP5, AQP8 and AQP9) have been reported to be expressed in astrocytes, and the expressions and subcellular localizations of AQPs in astrocytes are highly correlated with both their physiological and pathophysiological functions. This review describes and summarizes the recent advances in our understanding of astrocytes and AQPs in regard to controlling water homeostasis in the brain. Findings regarding the features of different AQP subtypes, such as their expression, subcellular localization, physiological functions, and the pathophysiological roles of astrocytes are presented, with brain edema and glioma serving as two representative AQP-associated pathological conditions. The aim is to provide a better insight into the elaborate “water distribution” system in cells, exemplified by astrocytes, under normal and pathological conditions.

The Readthrough Isoform AQP4ex Is Constitutively Phosphorylated in the Perivascular Astrocyte Endfeet of Human Brain

AQP4ex is a recently discovered isoform of AQP4 generated by a translational readthrough mechanism. It is strongly expressed at the astrocyte perivascular endfeet as a component of the supramolecular membrane complex, commonly called orthogonal array of particles (OAP), together with the canonical isoforms M1 and M23 of AQP4. Previous site-directed mutagenesis experiments suggested the potential role of serine331 and serine335, located in the extended peptide of AQP4ex, in water channel activity by phosphorylation. In the present study we evaluated the effective phosphorylation of human AQP4ex. A small scale bioinformatic analysis indicated that only Ser335 is conserved in human, mouse and rat AQP4ex. The phosphorylation site of Ser335 was assessed through generation of phospho-specific antibodies in rabbits. Antibody specificity was first evaluated in binding phosphorylated peptide versus its unphosphorylated analog by ELISA, which was further confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis experiments. Western blot and immunofluorescence experiments revealed strong expression of phosphorylated AQP4ex (p-AQP4ex) in human brain and localization at the perivascular astrocyte endfeet in supramolecular assemblies identified by BN/PAGE experiments. All together, these data reveal, for the first time, the existence of a phosphorylated form of AQP4, at Ser335 in the extended sequence exclusive of AQP4ex. Therefore, we anticipate an important physiological role of p-AQP4ex in human brain water homeostasis.

Aquaporin-4 in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A Target of Autoimmunity in the Central Nervous System

Since the discovery of a specific autoantibody in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in 2004, the water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) has attracted attention as a target of autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. In NMOSD, the autoantibody (NMO-IgG) binds to the extracellular loops of AQP4 as expressed in perivascular astrocytic end-feet and disrupts astrocytes in a complement-dependent manner. NMO-IgG is an excellent marker for distinguishing the disease from other inflammatory demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. The unique higher-order structure of AQP4—called orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs)—as well as its subcellular localization may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Recent studies have also demonstrated complement-independent cytotoxic effects of NMO-IgG. Antibody-induced endocytosis of AQP4 has been suggested to be involved in this mechanism. This review focuses on the binding properties of antibodies that recognize the extracellular region of AQP4 and the characteristics of AQP4 that are implicated in the pathogenesis of NMOSD.

Aquaporin 4 in Traumatic Brain Injury: From Molecular Pathways to Therapeutic Target

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known as an acute degenerative pathology of the central nervous system, and has been shown to increase brain aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression. Various molecular mechanisms affect AQP4 expression, including neuronal high mobility group box 1, forkhead box O3a, vascular endothelial growth factor, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1 α) sirtuin 2, NF-κB, Malat1, nerve growth factor and Angiotensin II receptor type 1. In addition, inhibition of AQP4 with FK-506, MK-801 (indirectly by targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor), inactivation of adenosine A2A receptor, levetiracetam, adjudin, progesterone, estrogen, V1aR inhibitor, hypertonic saline, erythropoietin, poloxamer 188, brilliant blue G, HIF-1alpha inhibitor, normobaric oxygen therapy, astaxanthin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, sesamin, thaliporphine, magnesium, prebiotic fiber, resveratrol and omega-3, as well as AQP4 gene silencing lead to reduced edema upon TBI. This review summarizes current knowledge and evidence on the relationship between AQP4 and TBI, and the potential mechanisms involved.

Disassembly and Mislocalization of AQP4 in Incipient Scar Formation after Experimental Stroke

There is an urgent need to better understand the mechanisms involved in scar formation in the brain. It is well known that astrocytes are critically engaged in this process. Here, we analyze incipient scar formation one week after a discrete ischemic insult to the cerebral cortex. We show that the infarct border zone is characterized by pronounced changes in the organization and subcellular localization of the major astrocytic protein AQP4. Specifically, there is a loss of AQP4 from astrocytic endfoot membranes that anchor astrocytes to pericapillary basal laminae and a disassembly of the supramolecular AQP4 complexes that normally abound in these membranes. This disassembly may be mechanistically coupled to a downregulation of the newly discovered AQP4 isoform AQP4ex. AQP4 has adhesive properties and is assumed to facilitate astrocyte mobility by permitting rapid volume changes at the leading edges of migrating astrocytes. Thus, the present findings provide new insight in the molecular basis of incipient scar formation.

Recent Advances in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms and Potential Treatments

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an acute or subacute demyelinating disease that affects mainly the optic nerve and spinal cord. A major proportion of NMOSD cases have a relationship with autoimmunity to aquaporin 4 (AQP4) found on the central nervous system. NMOSD can occur repeatedly, causing symptoms such as decreased vision and weakness of limbs. The main goal of current therapy is to relieve acute symptoms and prevent recurrence of the disease. Without timely and appropriate treatment, the recurrence and disability rates are high. In the present work, we review recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with NMOSD, as well as the pathogenesis and mechanisms of AQP4-IgG-seropositive NMOSD.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Serum MOG-IgG and AQP4-IgG Antibodies in NMOSD by a Semiquantitative Ratiometric Method

Background and purpose: Immunoadsorption (IA) is an antibody-depleting therapy used to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) associated to antiaquaporin 4 (anti-AQP4-IgG) and antimyelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG-IgG) serum autoantibodies. Our aim was to evaluate longitudinal changes of serum MOG-IgG and AQP4-IgG antibody titer and to correlate it with the clinical status.

Methods: Autoantibody titer and clinical features of two MOG-IgG+/AQP4-IgG– and two AQP4-IgG+/MOG-IgG– patients with NMOSD were collected at baseline (T0), after 6 IA courses (T1), and then 2 weeks (T2) and 6 months after treatment (T3). A fluorescent ratiometric assay was used for a quantitative detection of MOG and AQP4 antibodies, based on HEK-293 cells transfected with the full-length hMOG fused to GFP or h-AQP4-M23 isoform fused to m-cherry, respectively. We defined the antibody titer as MOG quantitative ratio (MOGqr) and AQP4 quantitative ratio (AQP4qr).

Results: In Case 1, the MOGqr dropped from 0.98 at T0 to 0.14 at T3, and in Case 2, it decreased from 0.96 at T0 to undetectable at T3. In Case3, the AQP4qr remained high: 0.90 at T0 and 0.92 at T3. In Case 4, the AQP4qr decreased from 0.50 at T0 to undetectable at T3. Complete recovery was found in Cases 1, 2, and 4.

Conclusions: Semiquantitative ratiometric method accurately detects even slight variation of MOG-IgG and AQP4-IgG titer, suggesting it may be useful to monitor the antibody titer during the disease course and maintenance immunotherapy.

Stagnation of glymphatic interstitial fluid flow and delay in waste clearance in the SOD1-G93A mouse model of ALS

Overexpression and mislocalization of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in the SOD1^G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have previously been reported. However, how alterations of AQP4 affect interstitial bulk flow in the brain and spinal cord, the so-called glymphatic system, is unclear. Here, we report an enhanced accumulation of disease-associated SOD1 species including SOD1 oligomers in SOD1^G93A;AQP4^-/- mice compared with SOD1^G93A mice during ALS disease progression, as analyzed by sandwich ELISA. By directly injecting SOD1 oligomers into the spinal cord parenchyma, we observed a significantly larger delay in clearance of biotinylated or fluorescent-labeled SOD1 oligomers in AQP4^-/- mice than in wild-type mice. Furthermore, when we injected the fluorescent-labeled tracer protein ovalbumin into the cisterna magna and analyzed the tracer distribution in the cervical spinal cord, approximately 35 % processing ability was found to be reduced in SOD1^G93A mice compared to wild-type mice. These results suggest that the glymphatic system is abnormal and that waste clearance is delayed in SOD1^G93A mice.

Insights into Cell Surface Expression, Supramolecular Organization, and Functions of Aquaporin 4 Isoforms in Astrocytes

Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is the most abundant water channel in the central nervous system (CNS). Its expression is confined to non-neuronal glial cells, predominantly to astrocytes that represent a heterogeneous glial cell type in the CNS. The membrane of astrocyte processes, which align brain capillaries and pia, is particularly rich in AQP4. Several isoforms of AQP4 have been described; however, only some (AQP4a (M1), AQP4 c (M23), AQP4e, and AQP4ex) have been identified in the plasma membrane assemblies of astrocytes termed orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs). Intracellular splicing isoforms (AQP4b, AQP4d, AQP4f, AQP4-Δ4) have been documented, and most of them are postulated to have a role in the cell surface distribution of the plasma membrane isoforms and in the formation of OAPs in murine and human astrocytes. Although OAPs have been proposed to play various roles in the functioning of astrocytes and CNS tissue as a whole, many of these still need to be described. OAPs are studied primarily from the perspective of understanding water permeability regulation through the plasma membrane and of their involvement in cell adhesion and in the dynamics of astrocytic processes. This review describes the cellular distribution of various AQP4 isoforms and their implications in OAP assembly, which is regulated by several intracellular and extracellular proteins.

Indirect Role of AQP4b and AQP4d Isoforms in Dynamics of Astrocyte Volume and Orthogonal Arrays of Particles

Water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4) plays a key role in the regulation of water homeostasis in the central nervous system (CNS). It is predominantly expressed in astrocytes lining blood–brain and blood–liquor boundaries. AQP4a (M1), AQP4c (M23), and AQP4e, present in the plasma membrane, participate in the cell volume regulation of astrocytes. The function of their splicing variants, AQP4b and AQP4d, predicted to be present in the cytoplasm, is unknown. We examined the cellular distribution of AQP4b and AQP4d in primary rat astrocytes and their role in cell volume regulation. The AQP4b and AQP4d isoforms exhibited extensive cytoplasmic localization in early and late endosomes/lysosomes and in the Golgi apparatus. Neither isoform localized to orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs) in the plasma membrane. The overexpression of AQP4b and AQP4d isoforms in isoosmotic conditions reduced the density of OAPs; in hypoosmotic conditions, they remained absent from OAPs. In hypoosmotic conditions, the AQP4d isoform was significantly redistributed to early endosomes, which correlated with the increased trafficking of AQP4-laden vesicles. The overexpression of AQP4d facilitated the kinetics of cell swelling, without affecting the regulatory volume decrease. Therefore, although they reside in the cytoplasm, AQP4b and AQP4d isoforms may play an indirect role in astrocyte volume changes.

Tissue Distribution of the Readthrough Isoform of AQP4 Reveals a Dual Role of AQP4ex Limited to CNS

Translational readthrough (TRT) of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) has remarkably expanded the importance of this new post-transcriptional mechanism, as well as the regulation potential of AQP4. The TRT isoform of AQP4, named AQP4ex, is central for both AQP4 polarization and water channel activity in the central nervous system (CNS). Here we evaluate the relevance of the TRT mechanism by analyzing whether AQP4ex is also expressed in peripheral tissues and whether the expression of AQP4ex is necessary for its polarized expression as it occurs in perivascular astrocyte processes. To this purpose, AQP4ex null mice were used, and analysis was performed by immunolocalization and immunoblot. The results demonstrate that AQP4ex is expressed in kidney, stomach, trachea and skeletal muscle with the same localization pattern as the canonical AQP4 isoforms. AQP4ex protein levels vary from 6% to about 13% of the total AQP4 protein levels in peripheral tissues. Immunogold electron microscopy experiments demonstrated the localization of AQP4ex at the astrocytic endfeet, and experiments conducted on AQP4ex null mice CNS confirmed that the expression of AQP4ex is necessary for anchoring of the perivascular AQP4. Without the readthrough isoform, AQP4 assemblies are mis-localized, being uniformly distributed on the astrocyte processes facing the neuropile. No alteration of AQP4 polarization was found in AQP4ex null kidney, stomach, trachea or skeletal muscle, suggesting that AQP4ex does not have a role for proper membrane localization of AQP4 in peripheral tissues. We conclude that a dual role for AQP4ex is limited to the CNS.

AQP4ex is crucial for the anchoring of AQP4 at the astrocyte end-feet and for neuromyelitis optica antibody binding

Brain water homeostasis is essential for the appropriate control of neuronal activity. Furthermore, the encasement of the central nervous system (CNS) by a hard structure, greatly limits its tolerance for the volume changes occurring with acute brain edema, which quickly leads to severe damage or death.

The recent discovery of the extended isoform of AQP4 (AQP4ex), generated by translational readthrough, revealed a potential new mechanism of water transport regulation and polarization at the blood-brain-barrier level.

In the present study we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate an AQP4ex^−/− mouse model and evaluate the effect on the overall AQP4 expression, polarization, supramolecular organization in orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO-IgG) autoantibodies binding.

AQP4ex removal did not cause a decrease in total AQP4 protein expression but completely suppressed the specific location of AQP4 at the astrocyte endfeet. Without AQP4ex, AQP4 was mislocalized and α-syntrophin expression, the selective partner for AQP4 localization, was partially altered. The supramolecular organization of AQP4 in OAPs was subtly altered. Indeed, the absence of AQP4ex reduced the size of AQP4-OAPs but the number of AQP4-OAP pools remained largely the same. More importantly, AQP4ex resulted critical for the binding of pathogenic human NMO-IgG autoantibodies to the brain. Indeed, the absence of AQP4ex completely abolished the binding of NMO-IgG at the perivascular astrocyte endfeet.

This study provides the first direct evidence in vivo on the specific role of AQP4ex in AQP4 perivascular OAPs assembly and confinement and reveals AQP4ex as new and important player in neuromyelitis optica.

Host-Cell Type Dependent Features of Recombinant Human Aquaporin-4 Orthogonal Arrays of Particles-New Insights for Structural and Functional Studies

The CNS plasma-membrane water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is expressed as two major isoforms able to aggregate into supramolecular assemblies known as ‘orthogonal arrays of particles’ (OAPs). OAP subnanometric features are largely unknown mainly because a method for the expression, isolation, and crystallization of integral human OAPs has not been developed. Here, the human OAP-forming isoform M23-AQP4 was expressed in insect and mammalian cell lines and AQP4 and OAP features evaluated. Native size exclusion chromatography was employed to isolate and analyze authentically folded OAPs, and neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-specific sandwich ELISA was developed to test OAP-integrity. The results demonstrate that in insect cells most AQP4 remains intracellular and unfolded and that OAPs are largely disassembled after the detergent extraction step. In mammalian cells, AQP4 showed regular plasma membrane targeting and OAPs exhibited strong post-extraction stability. Starting from the mammalian cell expression system, we isolated authentically folded OAPs. Together these data suggest a new strategy for expressing and isolating integral recombinant human OAPs and providing new insights into the cell-type dependent OAP-assembly and post-extraction stability, potentially useful to design new approaches for structural and functional studies of OAP and for other plasma membrane proteins organized into supramolecular structures.

Intermittent Fasting Protects against Alzheimer's Disease Possible through Restoring Aquaporin-4 Polarity

The impairment of amyloid-β (Aβ) clearance in the brain plays a causative role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Polarity distribution of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is important to remove Aβ from brain. AQP4 polarity can be influenced by the ratio of two AQP4 isoforms M1 and M23 (AQP4-M1/M23), however, it is unknown whether the ratio of AQP4-M1/M23 changes in AD. Histone deacetylase 3 has been reported to be significantly increased in AD brain. Moreover, evidence indicated that microRNA-130a (miR-130a) possibly mediates the regulation of histone deacetylase 3 on AQP4-M1/M23 ratio by repressing the transcriptional activity of AQP4-M1 in AD. This study aimed to investigate whether intermittent fasting (IF), increasing the level of an endogenous histone deacetylases inhibitor β-hydroxybutyrate, restores AQP4 polarity via miR-130a mediated reduction of AQP4-M1/M23 ratio in protection against AD. The results showed that IF ameliorated cognitive dysfunction, prevented brain from Aβ deposition, and restored the AQP4 polarity in a mouse model of AD (APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice). Additionally, IF down-regulated the expression of AQP4-M1 and histone deacetylase 3, reduced AQP4-M1/M23 ratio, and increased miR-130a expression in the cerebral cortex of APP/PS1 mice. In vitro, β-hydroxybutyrate was found to down-regulate the expression of AQP4-M1 and histone deacetylase 3, reduce AQP4-M1/M23 ratio, and increase AQP4-M23 and miR-130a expression in 2 μM Aβ-treated U251 cells. Interestingly, on the contrary to the result observed in 2 μM Aβ-treated cells, AQP4 expression was obviously decreased in cells exposed to 10 μM Aβ. miR-130a mimic decreased the expression of AQP4-M1 and the ratio of AQP4-M1/M23, as well as silencing histone deacetylase 3 caused the up-regulation of AQP4 and miR-130a, and the reduction of AQP4-M1/M23 ratio in U251 cells. In conclusion, IF exhibits beneficial effects against AD. The mechanism may be associated with recovery of AQP4 polarity, resulting from the reduction of AQP4-M1/M23 ratio. Furthermore, β-hydroxybutyrate may partly mediate the effect of IF on the reduction of AQP4-M1/M23 ratio in AD, in which miR-130a and histone deacetylase 3 may be implicated.

Supramolecular aggregation of aquaporin-4 is different in muscle and brain: correlation with tissue susceptibility in neuromyelitis optica

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by autoantibodies (NMO‐IgG) against the water channel aquaporin‐4 (AQP4). Though AQP4 is also expressed outside the CNS, for example in skeletal muscle, patients with NMO generally do not show clinical/diagnostic evidence of skeletal muscle damage. Here, we have evaluated whether AQP4 supramolecular organization is at the basis of the different tissue susceptibility. Using immunofluorescence we found that while the sera of our cohort of patients with NMO gave typical perivascular staining in the CNS, they were largely negative in the skeletal muscle. This conclusion was obtained using human, rat and mouse skeletal muscle including the AQP4‐KO mouse. A biochemical analysis using a new size exclusion chromatography approach for AQP4 suprastructure fractionation revealed substantial differences in supramolecular AQP4 assemblies and isoform abundance between brain and skeletal muscle matching a lower binding affinity of NMO‐IgG to muscle compared to the brain. Super‐resolution microscopy analysis with g‐STED revealed different AQP4 organization in native tissues, while in the brain perivascular astrocyte endfoot membrane AQP4 was mainly organized in large interconnected and raft‐like clusters, in the sarcolemma of fast‐twitch fibres AQP4 aggregates often appeared as small, relatively isolated linear entities. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that AQP4 supramolecular structure is different in brain and skeletal muscle, which is likely to result in different tissues susceptibility to the NMO disease.

AQP4e-Based Orthogonal Arrays Regulate Rapid Cell Volume Changes in Astrocytes

Water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4) plays a key role in the regulation of water homeostasis in the brain. It is predominantly expressed in astrocytes at the blood-brain and blood-liquor interfaces. Although several AQP4 isoforms have been identified in the mammalian brain, two, AQP4a (M1) and AQP4c (M23), have been confirmed to cluster into plasma membrane supramolecular structures, termed orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs) and to enhance water transport through the plasma membrane. However, the role of the newly described water-conductive mammalian isoform AQP4e is unknown. Here, the dynamics of AQP4e aggregation into OAPs and its role in the regulation of astrocyte water homeostasis have been studied. Using super-resolution structured illumination, atomic force, and confocal microscopies, the results revealed that, in female rat astrocytes, AQP4e isoform colocalizes with OAPs, affecting its structural dynamics. In hypoosmotic conditions, which elicit cell edema, OAP formation was considerably enhanced by overexpressed AQP4e. Moreover, the kinetics of the cell swelling and of the regulatory volume decrease was faster in astrocytes overexpressing AQP4e compared with untransfected controls. Furthermore, the increase in maximal cell volume elicited by hypoosmotic stimulation was significantly smaller in AQP4e-overexpressing astrocytes. For the first time, this study demonstrates an active role of AQP4e in the regulation of OAP structural dynamics and in water homeostasis.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4) plays a key role in the regulation of water homeostasis in the brain. To date, only AQP4a and AQP4c isoforms have been confirmed to enhance water transport through plasmalemma and to cluster into orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs). We here studied the dynamics, aggregation, and role in the regulation of astrocyte water homeostasis of the newly described water-conductive mammalian isoform AQP4e. Our main findings are as follows: brain edema mimicking hypoosmotic conditions stimulates the formation of new OAPs with larger diameters, due to the incorporation of additional cytoplasmic AQP4 channels and the redistribution of AQP4 channels of the existing OAPs; and AQP4e affects the dynamics of cell swelling and regulatory volume decrease in astrocytes exposed to hypoosmotic conditions.

Role of the H-bond between L53 and T56 for Aquaporin-4 epitope in Neuromyelitis Optica

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the CNS water channel organized into well-ordered protein aggregates called Orthogonal Arrays of Particles (OAPs). Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disease caused by anti-OAP autoantibodies (AQP4-IgG). Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations have identified an H-bond between L53 and T56 as the key for AQP4 epitope and therefore of potential interest for drug design in NMO field. In the present study, we have experimentally tested this MD-prediction using the classic mutagenesis approach. We substituted T56 with V56 and tested this mutant for AQP4 aggregates and AQP4-IgG binding. gSTED super-resolution microscopy showed that the mutation does not affect AQP4 aggregate dimension; immunofluorescence and cytofluorimetric analysis demonstrated its unaltered AQP4-IgG binding, therefore invalidating the MD-prediction. We later investigated whether AQP4, expressed in Sf9 insect and HEK-293F cells, is able to correctly aggregate before and after the purification steps usually applied to obtain AQP4 crystal. The results demonstrated that AQP4-IgG recognizes AQP4 expressed in Sf9 and HEK-293F cells by immunofluorescence even though BN-PAGE analysis showed that AQP4 forms smaller aggregates when expressed in insect cells compared to mammalian cell lines. Notably, after AQP4 purification, from both insect and HEK-293F cells, no aggregates are detectable by BN-PAGE and AQP4-IgG binding is impaired in sandwich ELISA assays. All together these results indicate that 1) the MD prediction under analysis is not supported by experimental data and 2) the procedure to obtain AQP4 crystals might affect its native architecture and, as a consequence, MD simulations. In conclusion, given the complex nature of the AQP4 epitope, MD might not be the suitable for molecular medicine advances in NMO.

Aquaporin-4 in Astroglial Cells in the CNS and Supporting Cells of Sensory Organs-A Comparative Perspective

The main water channel of the brain, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), is one of the classical water-specific aquaporins. It is expressed in many epithelial tissues in the basolateral membrane domain. It is present in the membranes of supporting cells in most sensory organs in a specifically adapted pattern: in the supporting cells of the olfactory mucosa, AQP4 occurs along the basolateral aspects, in mammalian retinal Müller cells it is highly polarized. In the cochlear epithelium of the inner ear, it is expressed basolaterally in some cells but strictly basally in others. Within the central nervous system, aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is expressed by cells of the astroglial family, more specifically, by astrocytes and ependymal cells. In the mammalian brain, AQP4 is located in high density in the membranes of astrocytic endfeet facing the pial surface and surrounding blood vessels. At these locations, AQP4 plays a role in the maintenance of ionic homeostasis and volume regulation. This highly polarized expression has not been observed in the brain of fish where astroglial cells have long processes and occur mostly as radial glial cells. In the brain of the zebrafish, AQP4 immunoreactivity is found along the radial extent of astroglial cells. This suggests that the polarized expression of AQP4 was not present at all stages of evolution. Thus, a polarized expression of AQP4 as part of a control mechanism for a stable ionic environment and water balanced occurred at several locations in supporting and glial cells during evolution. This initially basolateral membrane localization of AQP4 is shifted to highly polarized expression in astrocytic endfeet in the mammalian brain and serves as a part of the neurovascular unit to efficiently maintain homeostasis.

Is Upregulation of Aquaporin 4-M1 Isoform Responsible for the Loss of Typical Orthogonal Arrays of Particles in Astrocytomas?

The astrocytic endfoot membranes of the healthy blood-brain barrier—contacting the capillary—are covered with a large number of the water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4). They form orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs), which consist of AQP4 isoform M1 and M23. Under pathologic conditions, AQP4 is distributed over the whole cell and no or only small OAPs are found. From cell culture experiments, it is known that cells transfected only with AQP4-M1 do not form OAPs or only small ones. We hypothesized that in astrocytomas the situation may be comparable to the in vitro experiments expecting an upregulation of AQP4-M1. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) of different graded astrocytomas revealed an upregulation of both isoforms AQP4 M1 and M23 in all astrocytomas investigated. In freeze fracture replicas of low-grade malignancy astrocytomas, more OAPs than in high-grade malignancy astrocytomas were found. In vitro, cultured glioma cells did not express AQP4, whereas healthy astrocytes revealed a slight upregulation of both isoforms and only a few OAPs in freeze fracture analysis. Taken together, we found a correlation between the decrease of OAPs and increasing grade of malignancy of astrocytomas but this was not consistent with an upregulation of AQP4-M1 in relation to AQP4 M23.

Isotetrandrine Reduces Astrocyte Cytotoxicity in Neuromyelitis Optica by Blocking the Binding of NMO-IgG to Aquaporin 4

OBJECTIVE

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe neurological demyelinating autoimmune disease that affects the optic nerves and spinal cord with no cure and no FDA-approved therapy. Research over the last decade revealed that the binding of NMO-IgG to the water channel protein astrocyte aquaporin 4 (AQP4) might be the primary cause of NMO pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to identify potential blockers of NMO-IgG and AQP4 binding.

METHODS

We developed a two-step screening platform consisting of a reporter cell-based high-throughput screen assay and a cell viability-based assay. Purified NMO-IgG from NMO patient serum and transfected Chinese hamster lung fibroblast V79 cells stably expressing human M23-AQP4 were used for primary screening of 40,000 small molecule fractions from 500 traditional Chinese herbs.

RESULTS

Thirty-six positive fractions were identified, of which 3 active fractions (at 50 μg/ml) were found to be from the same Chinese traditional herb Mahonia japonica (Thunb.). A bioactivity-guided method based on a primary screening assay for blocking activity led to the isolation of an active single natural compound, isotetrandrine, from the 3 fractions. Our immunofluorescence staining results showed that isotetrandrine can block NMO-IgG binding to AQP4 without affecting the expression and function of AQP4. It can also inhibit NMO-IgG binding to astrocyte AQP4 in NMO patient sera and block NMO-IgG-dependent complement-mediated cytotoxicity with the IC50 at ∼3 μM.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study developed a cell-based high-throughput screen to identify small molecule inhibitors for NMO-IgG and AQP4 binding, and suggests a potential therapeutic value of isotetrandrine in NMO.

Development of an Aquaporin-4 Orthogonal Array of Particle-Based ELISA for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantibodies Detection

Serological markers of Nuromyelitis Optica (NMO), an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system, are autoantibodies targeting the astrocytic water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4). We have previously demonstrated that the main epitopes for these autoantibodies (AQP4-IgG) are generated by the supramolecular arrangement of AQP4 tetramers into an Orthogonal Array of Particles (OAPs). Many tests have been developed to detect AQP4-IgG in patient sera but several procedural issues affect OAP assembly and consequently test sensitivity. To date, the protein based ELISA test shows the lowest sensitivity while representing a valid alternative to the more sensitive cell based assay (CBA), which, however, shows economic, technical and interpretation problems. Here we have developed a high perfomance ELISA in which native OAPs are used as the molecular target. To this aim a native size exclusion chromatography method has been developed to isolate integral, highly pure and AQP4-IgG-recognized OAPs from rat brain. These OAPs were immobilized and oriented on a plastic plate by a sandwich approach and 139 human sera were tested, including 67 sera from NMO patients. The OAP-ELISA showed a 99% specificity and a higher sensitivity (91%) compared to the CBA test. A comparative analysis revealed an end-point titer three orders of magnitude higher than the commercial ELISA and six times higher than our in-house CBA test. We show that CNS-extracted OAPs are crucial elements in order to perform an efficient AQP4-IgG test and the OAP-ELISA developed represents a valid alternative to the CBA currently used.

Identification of a point mutation impairing the binding between aquaporin-4 and neuromyelitis optica autoantibodies

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is characterized by the presence of pathogenic autoantibodies (NMO-IgGs) against supra-molecular assemblies of aquaporin-4 (AQP4), known as orthogonal array of particles (OAPs). NMO-IgGs have a polyclonal origin and recognize different conformational epitopes involving extracellular AQP4 loops A, C, and E. Here we hypothesize a pivotal role for AQP4 transmembrane regions (TMs) in epitope assembly. On the basis of multialignment analysis, mutagenesis, NMO-IgG binding, and cytotoxicity assay, we have disclosed the key role of aspartate 69 (Asp(69)) of TM2 for NMO-IgG epitope assembly. Mutation of Asp(69) to histidine severely impairs NMO-IgG binding for 85.7% of the NMO patient sera analyzed here. Although Blue Native-PAGE, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, and water transport assays indicate that the OAP Asp(69) mutant is similar in structure and function to the wild type, molecular dynamic simulations have revealed that the D(69)H mutation has the effect of altering the structural rearrangements of extracellular loop A. In conclusion, Asp(69) is crucial for the spatial control of loop A, the particular molecular conformation of which enables the assembly of NMO-IgG epitopes. These findings provide additional clues for new strategies for NMO treatment and a wealth of information to better approach NMO pathogenesis.

A novel human aquaporin-4 splice variant exhibits a dominant-negative activity: a new mechanism to regulate water permeability

An alternatively spliced transcript of human AQP4 that lacks exon 4 is identified. In transfected cells, AQP4-Δ4 shows no water transport properties, is retained in the ER, and has a dominant-negative effect on full-length AQP4. In skeletal muscles, AQP4-Δ4 mRNA expression inversely correlates with the level of AQP4 protein in different muscles.

Two major isoforms of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) have been described in human tissue. Here we report the identification and functional analysis of an alternatively spliced transcript of human AQP4, AQP4-Δ4, that lacks exon 4. In transfected cells AQP4-Δ4 is mainly retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and shows no water transport properties. When AQP4-Δ4 is transfected into cells stably expressing functional AQP4, the surface expression of the full-length protein is reduced. Furthermore, the water transport activity of the cotransfectants is diminished in comparison to transfectants expressing only AQP4. The observed down-regulation of both the expression and water channel activity of AQP4 is likely to originate from a dominant-negative effect caused by heterodimerization between AQP4 and AQP4-Δ4, which was detected in coimmunoprecipitation studies. In skeletal muscles, AQP4-Δ4 mRNA expression inversely correlates with the level of AQP4 protein and is physiologically associated with different types of skeletal muscles. The expression of AQP4-Δ4 may represent a new regulatory mechanism through which the cell-surface expression and therefore the activity of AQP4 can be physiologically modulated.

Physiological roles of aquaporin-4 in brain

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is one of the most abundant molecules in the brain and is particularly prevalent in astrocytic membranes at the blood-brain and brain-liquor interfaces. While AQP4 has been implicated in a number of pathophysiological processes, its role in brain physiology has remained elusive. Only recently has evidence accumulated to suggest that AQP4 is involved in such diverse functions as regulation of extracellular space volume, potassium buffering, cerebrospinal fluid circulation, interstitial fluid resorption, waste clearance, neuroinflammation, osmosensation, cell migration, and Ca(2+) signaling. AQP4 is also required for normal function of the retina, inner ear, and olfactory system. A review will be provided of the physiological roles of AQP4 in brain and of the growing list of data that emphasize the polarized nature of astrocytes.

Aquaporin-4 autoantibodies in Neuromyelitis Optica: AQP4 isoform-dependent sensitivity and specificity

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease, characterized by the presence of autoantibody (NMO-IgG) to Aquaporin-4 (AQP4). NMO-IgG identification supports NMO diagnosis and several diagnostic tests have been developed, but their sensitivity is too variable, and some assay show low sensitivity. This impairs correct diagnosis of NMO. By cell based assay (CBA) we here evaluate the efficacy of different strategies to express AQP4 in mammalian cells in terms of: a) AQP4 translation initiation signals; b) AQP4 isoforms (M1 and M23) and fluorescent tag position; c) NMO serum concentration and AQP4 degradation. Our results demonstrate that when using AQP4-M1, the nucleotide in position -3 of the AUG greatly affects the AQP4-M1/M23 protein ratio, NMO-IgG binding, and consequently test sensitivity. Test sensitivity was highest with M23 expressing cells (97.5%) and only 27.5% with AQP4-M1. The fluorescent tag added to the N-terminus of AQP4-M23 considerably affected the NMO-IgG binding, and test sensitivity, due to disruption of AQP4 suprastructures. Furthermore, sera used at high concentration resulted in AQP4 degradation which affected test sensitivity. To further evaluate the reliability of the M23 based CBA test, samples of one NMO patient collected during about 2 years clinical follow-up were tested. The results of serum titer correlated with disease activity and treatment response. In conclusion, we provide a molecular explanation for the contrasting CBA test data reported and suggest the use of M23 with a C-terminus fluorescent tag as the proper test for NMO diagnosis.

A general anaesthetic propofol inhibits aquaporin-4 in the presence of Zn²⁺

AQP4 (aquaporin-4), a water channel protein that is predominantly expressed in astrocyte end-feet, plays an important role in the brain oedema formation, and is thereby considered to be a potential therapeutic target. Using a stopped-flow analysis, we showed that propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol), a general anaesthetic drug, profoundly inhibited the osmotic water permeability of AQP4 proteoliposomes in the presence of Zn²⁺. This propofol inhibition was not observed in AQP1, suggesting the specificity for AQP4. In addition, the inhibitory effects of propofol could be reversed by the removal of Zn²⁺. Other lipid membrane fluidizers also similarly inhibited AQP4, suggesting that the modulation of protein-lipid interactions plays an essential role in the propofol-induced inhibition of AQP4. Accordingly, we used Blue native PAGE and showed that the profound inhibition caused by propofol in the presence of Zn²⁺ is coupled with the reversible clustering of AQP4 tetramers. Site-directed mutagenesis identified that Cys²⁵³, located at the membrane interface connecting to the C-terminal tail, is responsible for Zn²⁺-mediated propofol inhibition. Overall, we discovered that propofol specifically and reversibly inhibits AQP4 through the interaction between Zn²⁺ and Cys²⁵³. The findings provide new insight into the functional regulation of AQP4 and may facilitate the identification of novel AQP4-specific inhibitors.

AQP4-dependent water transport plays a functional role in exercise-induced skeletal muscle adaptations

In this study we assess the functional role of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in the skeletal muscle by analyzing whether physical activity modulates AQP4 expression and whether the absence of AQP4 has an effect on osmotic behavior, muscle contractile properties, and physical activity. To this purpose, rats and mice were trained on the treadmill for 10 (D10) and 30 (D30) days and tested with exercise to exhaustion, and muscles were used for immunoblotting, RT-PCR, and fiber-type distribution analysis. Taking advantage of the AQP4 KO murine model, functional analysis of AQP4 was performed on dissected muscle fibers and sarcolemma vesicles. Moreover, WT and AQP4 KO mice were subjected to both voluntary and forced activity. Rat fast-twitch muscles showed a twofold increase in AQP4 protein in D10 and D30 rats compared to sedentary rats. Such increase positively correlated with the animal performance, since highest level of AQP4 protein was found in high runner rats. Interestingly, no shift in muscle fiber composition nor an increase in AQP4-positive fibers was found. Furthermore, no changes in AQP4 mRNA after exercise were detected, suggesting that post-translational events are likely to be responsible for AQP4 modulation. Experiments performed on AQP4 KO mice revealed a strong impairment in osmotic responses as well as in forced and voluntary activities compared to WT mice, even though force development amplitude and contractile properties were unvaried. Our findings definitively demonstrate the physiological role of AQP4 in supporting muscle contractile activity and metabolic changes that occur in fast-twitch skeletal muscle during prolonged exercise.

Ammonia induces aquaporin-4 rearrangement in the plasma membrane of cultured astrocytes

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a water channel protein mainly located in the astroglial plasma membrane, the precise function of which in the brain edema that accompanies hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is unclear. Since ammonia is the main pathogenic agent in HE, its effect on AQP4 expression and distribution in confluent primary astroglial cultures was examined via their exposure to ammonium chloride (1, 3 and 5 mM) for 5 and 10 days. Ammonia induced the general inhibition of AQP4 mRNA synthesis except in the 1 mM/5 day treatment. However, the AQP4 protein content measured was dependent on the method of analysis; an apparent increase was recorded in treated cells in in-cell Western assays, while an apparent reduction was seen with the classic Western blot method, perhaps due to differences in AQP4 aggregation. Ammonia might therefore induce the formation of insoluble AQP4 aggregates in the astroglial plasma membrane. The finding of AQP4 in the pellet of classic Western blot samples, plus data obtained via confocal microscopy, atomic force microscopy (using immunolabeled cells with gold nanoparticles) and scanning electron microscopy, all corroborate this hypothesis. The effect of ammonia on AQP4 seems not to be due to any osmotic effect; identical osmotic stress induced by glutamine and salt had no significant effect on the AQP4 content. AQP4 functional analysis (subjecting astrocytes to a hypo-osmotic medium and using flow cytometry to measure cell size) demonstrated a smaller water influx in ammonia-treated astrocytes suggesting that AQP4 aggregates are representative of an inactive status; however, more confirmatory studies are required to fully understand the functional status of AQP4 aggregates. The present results suggest that ammonia affects AQP4 expression and distribution, and that astrocytes change their expression of AQP4 mRNA as well as the aggregation status of the ensuing protein depending on the ammonia concentration and duration of exposure.

A novel look at astrocytes: aquaporins, ionic homeostasis, and the role of the microenvironment for regeneration in the CNS

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channels are located at the basolateral membrane domain of many epithelial cells involved in ion transport and secretion. These epithelial cells separate fluid compartments by forming apical tight junctions. In the brain, AQP4 is located on astrocytes in a polarized distribution: At the border to blood vessels or the pial surface, its density is very high. During ontogeny and phylogeny, astroglial cells go through a stage of expressing tight junctions, separating fluid compartments differently than in adult mammals. In adult mammals, this barrier is formed by arachnoid, choroid plexus, and endothelial cells. The ontogenetic and phylogenetic barrier transition from glial to endothelial cells correlates with the regenerative capacity of neuronal structures: Glial cells forming tight junctions, and expressing no or unpolarized AQP4 are found in the fish optic nerve and the olfactory nerve in mammals both known for their regenerative ability. It is hypothesized that highly polarized AQP4 expression and the lack of tight junctions on astrocytes increase ionic homeostasis, thus improving neuronal performance possibly at the expense of restraining neurogenesis and regeneration.

The role of aquaporin 4 in the brain

Emerging evidence suggests that aquaporin (AQP) 4 water channels play an important role in water homeostasis in the brain. These water channels are most abundant in the cell membrane of astrocytes, but are also present within ependymal cell membranes and in osmosensory areas of the hypothalamus. Water transport through AQP4 depends on concentration gradients across the membrane, but the rate of transport is determined by the capacity of astrocytes to up- and down-regulate AQP4 numbers, their location within the membrane, and the overall permeability of the channel. Other functions of brain AQP4 involve potassium uptake and release by astrocytes, migration of glial cells, glial scarring, and astrocyte-to-astrocyte cell communication. AQP water channels are involved in formation and control of edema in the brain and in multiple disease processes in the brain, such as seizures and tumors. There is abundant scientific literature on AQP4 describing its structure, function, location, and role in water homeostasis and edema in the brain. Investigation of AQP expression in the canine and feline brain should be pursued so that clinically relevant comparisons between findings in mice, rats, and people and animal patients can be made.

D184E mutation in aquaporin-4 gene impairs water permeability and links to deafness

Aquaporins (AQPs) play a physiological role in several organs and tissues, and their alteration is associated with disorders of water regulation. The identification of molecular interactions, which are crucial in determining the rate of water flux through the channel, is of pivotal role for the discovery of molecules able to target those interactions and therefore to be used for pathologies ascribable to an altered AQP-dependent water balance. In the present study, a mutational screening of human aquaporin-4 (AQP4) gene was performed on subjects with variable degrees of hearing loss. One heterozygous missense mutation was identified in a Spanish sporadic case, leading to an Asp/Glu amino acid substitution at position 184 (D184E). A BLAST analysis revealed that the amino acid D184 is conserved across species, consistently with a crucial role in the structure/function of AQP4 water channels. The mutation induces a significant reduction in water permeability as measured by the Xenopus laevis oocytes swelling assay and by the use of mammalian cells by total internal reflection microscopy. By Western blot, immunofluorescence and 2D Blue Native/SDS-PAGE we show that the reduction in water permeability is not ascribable to a reduced expression of AQP4 mutant protein or to its incorrect plasma membrane targeting and aggregation into orthogonal arrays of particles. Molecular dynamics simulation provided a molecular explanation of the mechanism whereby the mutation induces a loss of function of the channel. Substituting glutamate for aspartate affects the mobility of the D loop, which acquires a higher propensity to equilibrate in a "closed conformation", thus affecting the rate of water flux. We speculate that this mutation, combined with other genetic defects or concurrently with certain environmental stimuli, could confer a higher susceptibility to deafness.

Translational regulation mechanisms of aquaporin-4 supramolecular organization in astrocytes

The two predominant isoforms of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), AQP4-M23 and AQP4-M1, assemble in the plasma membrane to form supramolecular structures called Orthogonal Array of Particles (OAPs) whose dimension is tightly associated to the M1/M23 ratio. Here, we explore translational regulation contribution to M1/M23 expression in primary cultures of rat astrocytes, and analyze the role of M1 mRNA 5'untranslated region (5'UTR) in this mechanism. Using isoform-specific RNAi we found that in rat astrocytes primary cultures a large proportion of M23 protein derives from M1 mRNA translation. Furthermore, site-specific mutagenesis of the 5'UTR sequence of AQP4-M1 mRNA indicates that a multiple-site leaky scanning mechanism, an out-of-frame upstream ORF (uORF), and a reinitiation mechanism are able to modulate the M1/M23 ratio and consequently, OAPs formation. These mechanisms are likely to be shared by different species, including human, and they can also be assumed to play a role in those pathophysiological situations where the organization of AQP4 in supramolecular structures (OAPs) is involved. Finally, we report that, when transfected in Hela cells, the longer rat AQP4 isoform, called Mz, which is not present in human impairs OAPs formation.

Evidence for a role of dystroglycan regulating the membrane architecture of astroglial endfeet

The dystrophin–dystroglycan complex (DDC) is a molecular array of proteins in muscle and brain cells. The central component of the DDC is dystroglycan, which comprises α- and β-subunits. α-Dystroglycan (α-DG) binds to extracellular matrix components such as agrin, whereas β-dystroglycan (β-DG) is a membrane-spanning protein linking α-DG to the cytoskeleton and other intracellular components such as α-syntrophin. In astrocytes, α-syntrophin binds to the water channel protein aquaporin-4 (AQP4). Recently, it has been shown that AQP4 expression is unaltered in agrin-knockout mice, but that formation of orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs), consisting of AQP4, is abnormal. As the brain-selective deletion of the DG gene causes a disorganization of the astroglial endfeet, we investigated whether DG deletion has an impact on AQP4. Western blotting revealed reduced AQP4 in the parenchymal but not in the superficial compartment of the astrocyte-conditioned DG-knockout mouse brain. Accordingly, immunohistochemical stainings of AQP4 revealed a selective loss of AQP4 in perivascular but not in superficial astroglial endfeet. In both superficial and perivascular endfeet of the DG-knockout brain, we observed a loss of OAPs. We conclude that in the absence of DG the majority of superficial AQP4 molecules did not form OAPs, and that expression of AQP4 in perivascular endfeet is compromised. However, the decreased number of perivascular AQP4 molecules obviously did form a few OAPs, even in the absence of DG.

Structure and functions of aquaporin-4-based orthogonal arrays of particles

Orthogonal arrays or assemblies of intramembranous particles (OAPs) are structures in the membrane of diverse cells which were initially discovered by means of the freeze-fracturing technique. This technique, developed in the 1960s, was important for the acceptance of the fluid mosaic model of the biological membrane. OAPs were first described in liver cells, and then in parietal cells of the stomach, and most importantly, in the astrocytes of the brain. Since the discovery of the structure of OAPs and the identification of OAPs as the morphological equivalent of the water channel protein aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in the 1990s, a plethora of morphological work on OAPs in different cells was published. Now, we feel a need to balance new and old data on OAPs and AQP4 to elucidate the interrelationship of both structures and molecules. In this review, the identity of OAPs as AQP4-based structures in a diversity of cells will be described. At the same time, arguments are offered that under pathological or experimental circumstances, AQP4 can also be expressed in a non-OAP form. Thus, we attempt to project classical work on OAPs onto the molecular biology of AQP4. In particular, astrocytes and glioma cells will play the major part in this review, not only due to our own work but also due to the fact that most studies on structure and function of AQP4 were done in the nervous system.