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Temporal Aquaporin Expression Profiles in Immune Cell Subsets During Critical Illness
Nikolaos S Lotsios1, Vasileios Issaris1, Georgios Poupouzas1
11st Department of Critical Care Medicine, "Evangelismos" Hospital, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Shock (Augusta, Ga.)
|June 4, 2026
Summary
Critical illness alters aquaporin (AQP) expression in immune cells. Polymorphonuclear cells showed AQP downregulation, while mononuclear cells showed upregulation, except for AQP3.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Aquaporins (AQPs) are crucial water channels involved in immune cell function.
- While studied in sepsis, AQP expression in broader critical illness contexts is not well understood.
- Understanding AQP roles in critical illness may reveal new therapeutic avenues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mRNA expression patterns of specific aquaporin isoforms in polymorphonuclear (PMN) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from critically ill patients.
- To compare AQP expression between critically ill patients and healthy controls over time.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, longitudinal observational study involving 40 critically ill patients and 25 healthy controls.
- Blood samples were collected at multiple time points post-ICU admission (baseline, Day 4, Day 8, Day 14).
- RT-qPCR was used to quantify mRNA levels of AQP1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 in isolated PMNs and PBMCs.
Main Results:
- Polymorphonuclear cells displayed a general downregulation of AQP isoforms, with AQP1 being an exception.
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed sustained upregulation of most AQPs, except for AQP3, which was downregulated.
- Differential expression patterns were observed between PMNs and PBMCs throughout the study period.
Conclusions:
- Critically ill patients exhibit distinct aquaporin mRNA expression profiles in different immune cell subsets.
- These differential AQP expressions may represent adaptive immune responses to critical illness.
- Further research into AQP function in leukocytes could identify novel therapeutic targets for critical care.
