Expression of aquaporin-1 immunoreactivity by photoreceptor cells in the mouse retina

Neurosci Lett. 2005 Nov 11;388(2):96-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2005.06.046.

Abstract

Aquaporin water channels play a crucial role in the maintenance of ionic and osmotic homeostasis in the neural tissue. In the sensory retina, aquaporin-4 is expressed by Müller glial cells, predominantly in the inner retina, while aquaporin-1 is expressed mainly in the outer retina. However, it is unknown whether aquaporin-1 expression occurs in Müller cells or photoreceptor cells. By using immunohistochemical staining of retinal slices from rds mice, we show that the immunoreactivity for aquaporin-1 disappears along with the photoreceptor cell degeneration. In suspensions of dissociated retinal cells from control mice, photoreceptor cells expressed aquaporin-1 immunoreactivity while Müller cells were largely devoid of staining. The data suggest that photoreceptor cells, but not Müller cells, express aquaporin-1 in the murine retina.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies
  • Aquaporin 1
  • Aquaporins / immunology
  • Aquaporins / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Peripherins
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / metabolism*
  • Retinal Degeneration / genetics
  • Retinal Degeneration / metabolism*
  • Water / metabolism
  • Water-Electrolyte Balance / physiology

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Aqp1 protein, mouse
  • Aquaporins
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Peripherins
  • Prph2 protein, mouse
  • Water
  • Aquaporin 1