Expression and clinical significance of aquaglyceroporins in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
Aquaglyceroporins (AQPs) are a subset of the aquaporin family, and are permeable to water and glycerol. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression and clinical significance of three AQPs, AQP3, 7 and 9 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fresh HCC and adjacent non‑tumorous liver tissues were collected from 68 patients diagnosed with HCC. The expression levels of AQP3, 7 and 9 were detected by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. The association between the expression of AQPs and clinicopathological parameters of HCC were investigated. Compared with non‑tumorous liver tissue, HCC tissues exhibited a significant (P<0.05) increase in the expression of AQP3 and a concomitant reduction in the expression levels of AQP7 and AQP9, at both the mRNA and protein levels. Immunohistochemistry revealed that AQP9 was dominantly localized on the plasma membrane of hepatocytes, while AQP3 and AQP7 exhibited a predominantly cytoplasmic and nuclear distribution. High expression of AQP3 was significantly (P<0.05) associated with low expression levels of AQP7 and AQP9. High expression of AQP3 was correlated with tumor grade (P=0.017), tumor stage (P=0.010) and lymphatic metastasis (P=0.031). Low expression of AQP7 was correlated with tumor grade (P=0.043). AQP3 was upregulated, and AQP7 and AQP9 were downregulated in HCC. A high expression of AQP3 and low expression of AQP7 was significantly associated with the aggressive features of HCC.
Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, P.R. China.
Xiao-Feng
XF
Chen
Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, P.R. China.
Chuan-Fei
CF
Li
Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, P.R. China.
Lin
L
Lü
Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, P.R. China.
Zhe-Chuan
ZC
Mei
D051397:Aquaglyceroporins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D051397:Aquaglyceroporins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins