Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2002

Publication Source

Proceedings from the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Abstract

The distribution and function of aquaporins (AQPs) have not previously been defined in sweat glands. In this study, AQP1, AQP3, and AQP5 mRNA were demonstrated in rat paw by reverse transcription (RT)–PCR, but AQP2 and AQP4 were not. AQP1, AQP3, and AQP5 protein were confirmed in these tissues by immunoblotting. AQP1 was identified in capillary endothelial cells by immunohistochemical labeling, but not in sweat glands or epidermis. Abundant AQP3 expression was seen in basal levels of epidermis, but not in sweat glands. AQP2 and AQP4 were not observed in either skin or sweat glands. Immunohistochemical labeling revealed abundant AQP5 in secretory parts of rat and mouse sweat glands, where immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated abundant AQP5 labeling in the apical plasma membrane. AQP5 immunolabeling of human sweat glands yielded a similar pattern. To establish the role of AQP5 in sweat secretion, we tested the response of adult mice to s.c. injection of pilocarpine, as visualized by reaction of secreted amylase with iodine/starch. The number of active sweat glands was dramatically reduced in AQP5-null (−/−) mice compared with heterozygous (+/−) and wild-type (+/+) mice. We conclude that the presence of AQP5 in plasma membranes of sweat glands is essential for secretion, providing potential insight into mechanisms underlying mammalian thermoregulation, tactile sensitivity, and the pathophysiology of hyperhidrosis.

Inclusive pages

511–516

ISBN/ISSN

1091-6490

Document Version

Postprint

Comments

The document available for download is the authors' accepted manuscript, provided in compliance with the publisher's policy on self-archiving. Permission documentation is on file.

This work was supported by the Karen Elise Jensen Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Danish Medical Research Council, the Dongguk University, Helen and Ejnar Bjørnows Foundation, A.P. Møller and Spouse Chastine Mc-Kinney Møllers Foundation, Mrs. Ruth T.E. Konig–Petersens Research Foundation for Kidney Diseases, and The Research Foundation of the Danish Kidney Association, and National Institutes of Health Grants DE138283, HL61781, HL33991, HL48268, and EY11239.

Publisher

The National Academy of Sciences

Volume

99

Peer Reviewed

yes

Issue

1

Link to published version

COinS