Significance and Expression of Aquaporin 1, 3, 8 in Cervical Carcinoma in Xinjiang Uygur Women of China

Overexpression of several aquaporins (AQPs) has been reported in different types of human cancer but theirrole in carcinogenesis, for example in the cervix, have yet to be clearly defined. In this study, expression of AQPs incervical carcinomawas investigated by real-time PCR, immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical assays andevaluated for correlations with clinicopathologic variables. AQP1, 3, 8 exhibited differential expression in cervicalcarcinoma, corresponding CIN and mild cervicitis. AQP1 was predominantly localized in the microvascularendothelial cell in the stroma of mild cervicitis, CIN and cervical carcinoma. AQP3 and AQP8 were localizedin the membrane of normal squamous epithelium and carcinoma cells, local signals being more common thandiffuse staining. AQP1 and AQP3 expression was remarkably stronger in cervical cancer than in mild cervicitisand CIN2-3 (P<0.05). AQP8 expression was highest in CIN2-3 (91.7%), but levels in cervical carcinoma werealso higher than in mild cervicitis. AQP1, AQP3, AQP8 expression significantly increased in advanced stage,deeper infiltration, metastatic lymph nodes and larger tumor volume (P<0.05). Our findings showed that AQPsmight play important roles in cervical carcinogenesis and tumour progression in Uygur women.