Expression pattern of aquaporins in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome with edema.
The association between the expression of aquaporins (AQPs) in kidney tissues and the occurrence of edema in nephrotic syndrome (NS) remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate this association. A total of 54 patients with primary glomerular disease, diagnosed by renal biopsy, were divided into three groups: Control, NS without edema and NS with edema. The expression of AQP1, AQP2, AQP3 and AQP4 in kidney tissues from these patients was assessed using immunohistochemistry, and urinary AQP concentrations were quantified by ELISA. Comparison of the three groups was conducted using one way analysis of variance, independent samples t‑test or the Chi‑square test. AQP1 was strongly expressed in the proximal tubules. The proportion of the AQP1‑positive area in kidney tissues from patients with NS with edema was significantly reduced, in comparison with the other two groups. By contrast, the proportion of the AQP2‑positive area in the NS with edema group was significantly higher than that of the other two groups; significant differences were also observed between the control and NS without edema groups for this parameter. Urinary AQP2 concentrations in patients with NS (with and without edema) were significantly higher than that of the control group, and exhibited a significant positive correlation with kidney tissue AQP2 concentrations. The present study demonstrated the abnormal expression pattern of AQP1‑AQP4 in the kidney tissues of patients with NS, providing a basis for an improved understanding of the role of AQP in the pathogenesis of NS.
Department of Nephrology, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, P.R. China.
Yu
Y
Wang
Department of Nephrology, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, P.R. China.
Jimei
J
Bu
Department of Nephrology, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, P.R. China.
Qing
Q
Zhang
Department of Nephrology, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, P.R. China.
Kai
K
Chen
Department of Nephrology, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, P.R. China.
Jihong
J
Zhang
Department of Nephrology, Jinshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, P.R. China.
Xiaorong
X
Bao
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D051398:Aquaporin 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000652:urine; D051399:Aquaporin 2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000652:urine; D051400:Aquaporin 3 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000652:urine; D051401:Aquaporin 4 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000652:urine; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004487:Edema / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine
C496020:AQP1 protein, human; C496023:AQP2 protein, human; C496027:AQP3 protein, human; C496030:AQP4 protein, human; D051399:Aquaporin 2; D051401:Aquaporin 4; D051398:Aquaporin 1; D051400:Aquaporin 3