AQP4 Antibodies

AQP4 antibodies are designed to specifically target Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), a water channel protein that is abundantly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in astrocytes at the blood-brain barrier. AQP4 plays a vital role in maintaining water homeostasis, facilitating the movement of water across cell membranes. 

Content

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a key regulator of water transport in the CNS, primarily localized to the end-feet of astrocytes surrounding blood vessels. This strategic positioning allows AQP4 to control water exchange between blood vessels and brain tissue, playing a critical role in the regulation of brain volume, neuroinflammation, and osmotic balance. Under normal conditions, AQP4 ensures efficient water regulation to support neural function. 

Application

AQP4 antibodies are employed in a range of research and diagnostic applications, including:

• Immunofluorescence (IF): Allows for high-resolution visualization of AQP4 in cells, providing insights into its localization, dynamics, and co-localization with other proteins, such as those involved in water regulation and astrocytic function. IF is particularly useful for studying changes in AQP4 expression and distribution in models of brain injury or neuroinflammation.
• Flow Cytometry: Applied to analyze AQP4 expression on the surface of astrocytes and other cell types. Flow cytometry can help quantify changes in AQP4 levels in response to external stimuli or disease conditions, providing insights into how AQP4 is modulated in neuroinflammatory responses.
• Immunoprecipitation (IP): Used to isolate AQP4 from complex protein mixtures, facilitating the study of its interactions with other cellular components. IP allows researchers to explore the regulatory mechanisms controlling AQP4 function and its interactions, which may change under pathological conditions such as NMOSD.

These applications make AQP4 antibodies critical tools for advancing research into CNS water regulation and neurodegenerative diseases. They are particularly important for understanding the role of AQP4 in conditions like NMOSD, where AQP4-specific autoantibodies lead to direct astrocyte damage and contribute to the disease pathology.