[Alteration and its significance to expression of aquaporin-4 in cultured neonatal rat astrocytes in the model of hypoxic damage].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of aquaorin-4 (AQP4) in the cultured neonatal rat primary astrocytes during hypoxia and during reoxygenation after hypoxia.


METHODS
The astrocytes were randomly assigned to the hypoxia group (the astrocytes were exposed to hypoxia for 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h respectively), the reoxygenation group (after exposure to 12 h hypoxia, the astrocytes were returned to normoxic cultures for 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h respectively), and the normoxic group (control group). AQP4 mRNA expression in astrocytes of all groups was detected by Real Time PCR, and AQP4 protein expression was determined by immunofluorescence.


RESULTS
The AQP4 mRNA and protein expressions significantly decreased with the time of hypoxia, and during reoxygenation, the decreased expressions were gradually up-reguated.


CONCLUSIONS
It is likely that the decreased expression of AQP4 is associated with brain edema and in such brain edema conditions AQP4 may play a prominent role in the reestablishment of brain osmotic equilibrium.
Fu
Xue-Mei
XM
Department of Pediatrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Yao
Yu-Jia
YJ
Yang
Zhao
Z
Xiang
Long
L
Gao
Ju
J
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D051401:Aquaporin 4 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D015854:Up-Regulation
D051401:Aquaporin 4; D012333:RNA, Messenger