Important functions and molecular mechanisms of aquaporins family on respiratory diseases: potential translational values

Abstract

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a subgroup of small transmembrane transporters that are distributed in various types of tissues, including the lung, kidney, heart and central nervous system. It is evident that respiratory diseases represent a significant global health concern, with a considerable number of deaths occurring worldwide. Recent researches have demonstrated that AQPs play a pivotal role in respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the context of NSCLC, the overexpression of AQP1, AQP3, AQP4, and AQP5 has been demonstrated to facilitate tumor angiogenesis, as well as the proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of tumor cells. This review concisely explores the role of AQP family on respiratory diseases, to assess their clinical and translational significance for understanding molecular pathogenesis. However, the potential translation of AQPs biomarkers into clinical applications is promising and the understanding of the precise mechanisms influencing respiratory diseases is still ongoing. Addressing the challenges and outlining the future perspectives in AQPs development is essential for clinical progress in a concise manner.

Keywords: acute respiratory distress syndrome; aquaporins; bronchial asthma; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; non-small cell lung cancer.

Figure 1

Schematic overview of the molecular structure of AQP: Four monomers that cross the cell membrane six times make up an "hourglass" tetramer compound AQPs, each monomer has a single functional pore, and the four monomers also form a central pore.

Figure 2

Distribution of AQPs in the respiratory system.

Figure 3

Association of AQPs with respiratory diseases.

Figure 4

Cell migration process: (1) These cytoskeletal proteins aid in maintaining cell shape and supporting migration. (2) These pseudopodia are supported by the cell's cytoskeleton and assist the cell in extending in a specific direction. (3) Cells interact with the surrounding environment by binding to receptors in the extracellular matrix, allowing them to adhere to the surface. Subsequently, they need to detach by breaking these connections in order to move. (4) Once adhered to a specific location, cells move forward through the reorganization of their cytoskeleton. The above steps were repeated until the cells reached their destination.