AQP-4与脑水肿

水通道蛋白为通过细胞膜脂质双分子层转运水分子的一种膜蛋白,AQP4(Aaquaporin-4)为11种哺乳动物水通道蛋白之一。脑水肿是脑血管病、颅脑损伤、炎症和颅内占位等引起神经功能障碍的主要病理生理改变。目前发现AQP-4参与了脑损伤后脑水肿的形成,AQP-4除了参与水的代谢转运外,也被发现能够影响星形胶质细胞的迁移和神经元的兴奋性。现介绍AQP`-4在脑内的分布、功能及其在脑水肿形成中的作用。通过对脑组织中的AQP-4进行结构修饰或表达水平调节,对脑水肿、脑积水、中风、肿瘤、感染、癫痫及创伤性颅脑外伤等脑病的治疗将产生新的希望。

Aquaporin-4 and Brain Edema

Aquaporin is a kind of membrane protein that transports water molecules through bialyer lipid memebrahe. Aquaporin-4 （AQP-4） is one of 11 kinds of water-channel protein in mammalians. Trauma, stroke, brain tumor,ischemic brain injury and bleeding brain damage are often associated with the occurrence of brain edema. AQP-4 was found to play a major role in the formation of brain edema after brain damage. It not only participates metabolic transportation of water, but also impacts on astrocyte migration and neuronal excitability. The distribution and functions of AQP-4 as well as its actions in the formation of brain edema are introduced. These findings suggest that the modulation of AQP-4 structure and expression be beneficial to the treatment of several cerebral disorders, including brain edema, hydrocephalus, stroke, tumor, infection, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury.