Differential expression of aquaporin-4 isoforms localizes with neuromyelitis optica disease activity

Harleen Saini; Gregory Fernandez; Douglas Kerr; Michael Levy

doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2010.02.007

Differential expression of aquaporin-4 isoforms localizes with neuromyelitis optica disease activity

J Neuroimmunol. 2010 Apr 15;221(1-2):68-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2010.02.007. Epub 2010 Mar 15.

Authors

Harleen Saini¹, Gregory Fernandez, Douglas Kerr, Michael Levy

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.

PMID: 20227773
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2010.02.007

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a devastating neuroinflammatory disorder that specifically targets the spinal cord and optic nerves. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the target of the NMO-IgG biomarker. AQP4 is expressed as two isoforms: M1 and M23, which have different functions in the central nervous system (CNS). We characterized the expression pattern of these AQP4 isoform mRNAs in humans and found a pattern of AQP4 expression that correlates with NMO disease localization. The ratio of M1:M23 mRNA is highest in the optic nerve and spinal cord, followed by brainstem, then the cerebral and cerebellar cortices.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aquaporin 4 / genetics
Aquaporin 4 / metabolism*
Central Nervous System / metabolism*
Central Nervous System / pathology
Female
Gene Expression Regulation*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neuromyelitis Optica / genetics
Neuromyelitis Optica / metabolism*
Neuromyelitis Optica / pathology*
Postmortem Changes
Protein Isoforms / classification
Protein Isoforms / metabolism
RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

Aquaporin 4
Protein Isoforms
RNA, Messenger