Adult murine CNS stem cells express aquaporin channels

Background information. Fluid homoeostasis is of critical importance in many functions of the CNS (central nervous system) as indicated by the fact that dysregulation of cell volume underlies clinical conditions such as brain oedema and hypoxia. Water balance is also important during neurogenesis as neural stem cells move considerable amounts of water into or out of the cell to rapidly change their volume during differentiation. Consistent with the relevance of water transport in CNS, multiple AQP (aquaporin) water channels have been recognized and partially characterized in brain cell function. However, the presence and distribution of AQPs in CNS stem cells has not yet been assessed. Results. In the present study, we investigate the expression and subcellular localization of AQPs in murine ANSCs (adult neural stem cells). Considerable AQP8 mRNAs were found in ANSCs where, as expected, the transcript of two additional AQPs, AQP4 and AQP9, was also detected. Immunoblotting with subcellular membrane fractions of ANSCs showed predominant expression of AQP8 in the mitochondria-enriched fraction. This result was consistent with the spotted immunoreactivity profile encountered within the ANSCs by confocal immunofluorescence. Conclusions. AQP8 may have a role in mitochondrial volume regulation during ANSC differentiation. Recognition of AQPs in ANSCs is a step forward in our knowledge of water homoeostasis in the CNS and provides useful information for the purposes of stem cell technology.