Abstract
BackgroundAquaporin-4 (AQP4) is in growing recognition as potential marker for cancer progression, differentiation and therapeutic intervention. No information is available about AQP4 expression in the normal canine brain. The aim of this histopathological study is to confirm the presence of AQP4 by immunohistochemistry technique in a group of non-pathological canine brains and to describe its expression and distribution across the brain.ResultsTwelve non-pathological canine brains of various ages (ranging from 21 days to 17 years) and breeds were included in the study. Immunohistochemical expression of AQP4 was analyzed using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded brain tissue sections. The findings were correlated between AQP4 expressing cells and astrocytes using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). AQP4 expression was more marked in the astrocyte foot processes of subpial, perivascular and periventricular surfaces in all specimens. The majority of the canine brain sections (9/12) presented with an AQP4 predilection for white matter tracts. Interestingly, the two youngest dogs (21 days and 3 months old) were characterized by diffuse AQP4 labelling in both grey and white matter tracts. This result may suggest that brain development and ageing may play a role in the AQP4 distribution throughout the canine brain.ConclusionsThis is the first study to describe immunohistochemical distribution of AQP4 in normal canine brains. The AQP4 expression and distribution in non-pathological canine brains was comparable to other species. Larger studies are needed to substantiate the influence of breed and ageing on AQP4 expression in the normal canine brain.
Highlights
Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is in growing recognition as potential marker for cancer progression, differentiation and therapeutic intervention
AQP4-expressing cells were confirmed using immunohistochemistry in all canine brains included in this study
This finding supports the assumption that AQP4 plays in the normal canine brains a crucial role in maintaining water homeostasis, cell migration and neuroexcitation [1]
Summary
Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is in growing recognition as potential marker for cancer progression, differentiation and therapeutic intervention. No information is available about AQP4 expression in the normal canine brain. Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane waterchannel proteins distributed in membranes of various biological cells of animals and humans mainly facilitating transport of water between cells [1]. AQP4 is expressed more abundantly in the astrocyte foot processes of the perivascular, subpial and subependymal areas and in the basolateral membrane of ependymal cells. These locations are special sites of major fluid transport where AQP4 is responsible for water balance regulation in and out the CNS [1]. Similar locations have been demonstrated in other species including Macaca Fascicularis and Psittacus erithacus [9, 10]
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