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Aquaporin expression and function in human pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigmented epithelial cells.
Kati Juuti-Uusitalo1, Christine Delporte, Francoise Grégoire
1Institute of Biomedical Technology, University of Tampere, BioMediTech, Tampere, Finland. kati.juuti-uusitalo@uta.fi
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|May 21, 2013
Summary
Stem cell-derived retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells express multiple aquaporins (AQPs), including functional AQP1. These cells, differentiated under serum-free conditions, mirror native RPE cells in the human eye.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Aquaporins (AQPs) are critical for water transport in retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells.
- While native and immortalized RPE cells express AQPs, their expression during stem cell differentiation is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and functionality of aquaporins during the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into RPE cells.
- To compare stem cell-derived RPE cells with native RPE cells.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR to determine AQP gene expression in hESC- and hiPSC-derived RPE cells.
- Confocal microscopy to assess AQP1 localization.
- Cell volume assays to evaluate AQP water channel functionality.
Main Results:
- Multiple AQPs (AQP1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12) were expressed in stem cell-derived RPE cells.
- AQP1 and AQP11 gene expression significantly increased during RPE maturation.
- AQP1 was localized to the apical plasma membrane, and aquaporin inhibitors reduced functionality in hESC-RPE cells.
Conclusions:
- hESC- and hiPSC-derived RPE cells express functional aquaporins.
- AQP1 localization suggests its role in mature RPE cells.
- Stem cell-derived RPE cells resemble native RPE cells, supporting their use in research and therapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Aquaporins
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.
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation
The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.