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Aquaporins

Aquaporins

Aquaporins or AQPs are a family of integral membrane proteins whose primary function is to transport water, while some called aquaglyceroporins also transport glycerol. In addition, aquaporins have also been suspected to be involved in transporting volatile substances, such as carbon dioxide and ammonia, across membranes. Such AQPs that act as gas channels are often highly expressed in cells involved in the gaseous exchange, such as red blood cells, epithelial cells, and pulmonary capillaries.

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction

Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...

Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...

Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...

Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints

Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints

As the name indicates, at a cartilaginous joint, the adjacent bones are united by cartilage, a tough but flexible type of connective tissue. Unlike synovial joints, these types of joints lack a joint cavity and involve bones joined together by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage.
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary or...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration

Published on: July 8, 2021

Aquaporin expression in the human intervertebral disc.

S M Richardson¹, R Knowles, D Marples

¹Tissue Injury and Repair Group, School of Clinical and Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.

Journal of Molecular Histology

|February 6, 2008

Summary

Human intervertebral disc (IVD) cells express aquaporins (AQPs) 1 and 3, similar to articular chondrocytes. Expression decreases in the outer annulus fibrosus, suggesting adaptation to mechanical and osmotic changes.

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Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration

Published on: July 8, 2021

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.

Published on: February 14, 2021

An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc

An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc

Published on: April 11, 2017

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Biophysics

Background:

The human intervertebral disc (IVD) nucleus pulposus (NP) is a hyperosmotic tissue under dynamic compressive loads.
Chondrocyte-like cells in the NP must regulate cell volume and extracellular matrix metabolism.
Aquaporins (AQPs), transmembrane water and solute transporters, are expressed in articular cartilage chondrocytes.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the expression of aquaporins 1, 2, and 3 in human IVD cells using immunohistochemistry.
To compare the AQP expression profile of IVD cells with that of articular chondrocytes.

Main Methods:

Immunohistochemistry was used to detect aquaporins 1, 2, and 3.
Human IVD tissues were analyzed, examining cells from the nucleus pulposus (NP) and inner and outer annulus fibrosus (AF).

Main Results:

Aquaporins 1 and 3 were expressed by cells in the NP and inner AF.
Outer AF cells showed no AQP-1 expression and minimal AQP-3 expression.
All cells analyzed were negative for AQP-2 expression.

Conclusions:

Human NP cells share phenotypic similarities with articular chondrocytes, potentially due to comparable tissue osmolarity and mechanobiology.
Decreased AQP expression from NP to outer AF suggests cellular adaptation to regional differences in mechanobiology, osmolarity, and hydration.