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Aquaporins in human breast cancer: Identification and involvement in carcinogenesis of breast cancer
Author(s) -
Shi Zhonghua,
Zhang Ting,
Luo Liang,
Zhao Hua,
Cheng Jing,
Xiang Jingying,
Zhao Chun
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.22155
Subject(s) - carcinogenesis , breast cancer , aquaporin , immunohistochemistry , cancer , ca15 3 , medicine , aquaporin 1 , cancer research , pathology , ca 15 3 , oncology , physiology , water channel , mechanical engineering , engineering , inlet
Background and Objectives Aquaporins (AQPs) play important roles in water and glycerol transport. Recently, the role of AQPs in human carcinogenesis has become an area of great interest. However, little is known about the function of AQPs in human breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression profile of AQPs in human breast cancer and its significance. Methods In this study, we screened the expression profile of AQP0–12 in breast cancer tissues and corresponding normal tissues by RT‐PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results AQP1, 3–5, and 10–12 were expressed in human breast cancer and/or normal breast tissues, and AQP1 and 3–5 exhibited differential expression. AQP1 was expressed in cell membranes and its expression was higher in cancer than that in normal tissues. AQP4 was expressed in the cell membrane and cytoplasm and was detected markedly stronger in normal than in cancer tissues. AQP5 was expressed mainly in cell membranes in carcinoma tissues, but was almost absent in normal breast tissues. Expression of AQP5 was associated with cellular differentiation, lymph node invasion, and clinicopathological staging. Conclusions These observations suggested that several subtypes of the AQP family play a role in human breast carcinogenesis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:267–272. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.