Aquaporin 5 expression regulates MDA-MB-231 spheroid multicellular invasion.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Aquaporins are water channels involved in cancer metastasis.
• Aquaporin 5 (AQP5) is overexpressed in many cancers and linked to single-cell invasion.
• Its role in the 3D tumor microenvironment is largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function of Aquaporin 5 in collective cell migration and invasion within 3D tumor models.
• To elucidate the specific mechanisms by which AQP5 influences spheroid behavior and multicellular invasion.

Main Methods:

• Generated MDA-MB-231 cell lines with Aquaporin 5 overexpression and knockdown.
• Utilized 3D cell culture models to assess single and collective cell motility and invasion.
• Analyzed spheroid formation, size, circularity, adhesion, and multicellular protrusion invasion.

Main Results:

• Aquaporin 5 expression significantly regulated cell motility and invasion in 3D microenvironments.
• AQP5 uniquely influenced MDA-MB-231 spheroid development, affecting formation, size, circularity, and adhesion.
• Increased AQP5 expression enhanced multicellular invasion by polarizing to the invasive front of spheroid protrusions.

Conclusions:

• Aquaporin 5 promotes cell motility and invasion in 3D cancer models.
• AQP5 exhibits novel adhesive and multicellular invasive functions in a tumor microenvironment context.
• This study highlights AQP5 as a potential therapeutic target for advanced cancers.