Research on AQP4 and central nervous system diseases

Aquaporins (AQP) are membrane channel proteins which facilitate water transport through cell membranes.AQP4 is abundantly expressed in brain which is located in endfeet of astrocytes adjacent to capillaries,neurons,and neuronal synapses.It has also been identified in neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus.AQP are closely related to many central nervous system diseases.Researches have showed that AQP4 participates in regulating and controling process of cerebral edema that caused by brain trauma,cerebral ischemia,intracranial infection and mmour,etc.AQP4 antibody is specific biological markers in serum of patients with neuromyelitis,which helps diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis,predicting prognosis and therapy of neuromyelitis optica.AQP4 has been shown to play roles in pathological and physiological process of neurodegenerative diseases,epilepsy,migraine.This article aims to review the distribution,function,influential factors of AQP4 and research development of AQP4 in common diseases of the central nervous system. Key words: Aquaporin 4 ; Central nervous system disease