Distribution of AQP4 in spinal cord of normal rat

    SHI Xiangª²Qun, YANG Jinª²Sheng£¬WANG Yong, BAO Shiª²Yao

    1Department of Neurology, Lanzhou General Hospital, Chinese PLA Lanzhou Command, Lanzhou 730050, China, 2Department of Neurology, Second Hospital, Suzhou University, Suzhou 215004, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM£ºTo examine the distribution of AQP4 in normal rat spinal cord so as to provide theoretical basis for further study on its physiologic function. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining with antiª²AQp4 monoclonal antibody was performed on spinal tissue frozen sections from healthy adult SD rats. RESULTS: The positive staining cells mostly included ependymal cells of myelocoele, glial cells, motor neurons, and epithelial cells of spinal pia mater. The staining was mainly located on the cell membrane. Most importantly, it displayed certain directivity in the glial cells, mainly at the membrane side contacting with capillary endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: AQP4 is widely expressed in rat spinal cord. In the glial cells, it is mainly located at the membrane side contacting with capillary endothelial cells, which are associated with bloodª²brain barrier, suggesting that AQP4 may be involved in spinal water metabolism. ......