Open AccessInvolvement of Aquaporin 4 in Astrocyte Function and Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Author(s) -
Xiao Ming,
Hu Gang
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
cns neuroscience and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1755-5949
pISSN - 1755-5930
DOI - 10.1111/cns.12267
Subject(s) - astrogliosis , astrocyte , neuroscience , aquaporin 4 , central nervous system , synaptic plasticity , neurogenesis , neuromyelitis optica , neuroinflammation , medicine , biology , disease , immunology , multiple sclerosis , pathology , receptor
Summary Aquaporin 4 ( AQP 4) is the main water channel in the central nervous system ( CNS ) and specifically localized to astrocyte processes. Recent studies indicate that AQP 4 regulates various biological functions of astrocytes, including maintaining CNS water balance, spatial buffering of extracellular potassium, calcium signal transduction, regulation of neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, and adult neurogenesis, while under neuropathological conditions, AQP 4 has a role in astrogliosis and proinflammatory cytokine secretion. In addition, accumulating evidence suggests that, besides cerebral edema, neuromyelitis optica and epilepsy, AQP 4 participates in the onset and progression of Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, depression, and drug addiction. This review summarizes recent findings and highlights the involvement of AQP 4 in astrocyte function and neuropsychiatric disorders.