title: In vivo studies of aquaporins 3 and 10 in human stratum corneum.
abstract: Aquaporins (AQPs) constitute one family of transmembrane proteins facilitating transport of water across cell membranes. Due to their specificity, AQPs have a broad spectrum of physiological functions, and for keratinocytes there are indications that these channel proteins are involved in cell migration and proliferation with consequences for the antimicrobial defense of the skin. AQP3 and AQP10 are aqua-glyceroporins, known to transport glycerol as well as water. AQP3 is the predominant AQP in human skin and has previously been demonstrated in the basal layer of epidermis in normal human skin, but not in stratum corneum (SC). AQP10 has not previously been identified in human skin. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of AQP3 and AQP10 mRNA in keratinocytes. In this study, our aim was to investigate if these aquaporin proteins were actually present in human SC cells. This can be seen as a first step toward elucidating the possible functional role of AQP3 and AQP10 in SC hydration. Specifically we investigate the presence of AQP3 and AQP10 in vivo in human SC using "minimal-invasive" technique for obtaining SC samples. SC samples were obtained from six healthy volunteers. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to demonstrate the presence of AQP3 as well as AQP10. The presence of AQP3 and AQP10 was verified by Western blotting, allowing for detection of proteins by specific antibodies. Applying immunohistochemistry, cell-like structures in the shape of corneocytes were identified in all samples by AQP3 and AQP10 antibodies. In conclusion, identification of AQP3 and AQP10 protein in SC in an in vivo model is new. Together with the new "minimal-invasive" method for SC collection presented, this opens for new possibilities to study the role of AQPs in relation to function of the skin barrier.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400, Copenhagen NV, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jakob Mutanu
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jungersted
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bomholt
authors.forename: Niada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bajraktari
authors.forename: Jesper Søndergaard
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Dan A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Klærke
authors.forename: Per Amstrup
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hedfalk
authors.forename: Kent Høier
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Tove
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Agner
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hélix-Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D051400:Aquaporin 3 / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: C438667:AQP10 protein, human; C496027:AQP3 protein, human; D020346:Aquaporins; D051400:Aquaporin 3