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A Review: Expression of Aquaporins in Otitis Media

Su Young Jung1, Sung Su Kim2, Young Il Kim3

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea. monkiwh35@hanmail.net.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Aquaporins (AQPs) are present in the middle ear and Eustachian tube, with expression varying by species and inflammation. Altered AQP levels during otitis media suggest potential immunological roles.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Otitis media (OM) involves middle ear (ME) and Eustachian tube (ET) inflammation.
  • Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channel proteins potentially involved in OM pathology.
  • Fifteen studies have investigated AQP expression in the ME and ET.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the expression patterns of aquaporins (AQPs) in the middle ear (ME) and Eustachian tube (ET).
  • To explore the potential role of AQPs in the pathogenesis of otitis media (OM).

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of molecular biological studies on AQP expression in ME and ET.
  • Analysis of AQP expression variations across species, tissues, and inflammatory states.

Main Results:

  • Eleven types of AQPs (AQP1-AQP11) are expressed in mammalian ME and ET.
  • AQP expression varies significantly by species, tissue, and presence/absence of inflammation.
  • Expression patterns of AQP1, AQP4, and AQP5 are altered by inflammatory stimuli like LPS.

Conclusions:

  • Various AQPs are expressed in the ME and ET, with expression modulated by inflammation.
  • Fluid accumulation in OM may involve AQPs, suggesting their role in edema and inflammation.
  • AQPs, particularly AQP1, 4, and 5, may possess immunological functions in otitis media.
Keywords:
aquaporinhuman middle earotitis mediatransmembrane permeabilitywater channel

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