Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of hydrophobic membrane channel proteins. The expression of several AQP isoforms has been investigated in different @entity1 tissues, including the orofacial region. However, information on the role and localization of @entity3261 in joints is limited, and no data are available on aquaporins in the normal @entity1348 ( @entity1348 ) disc. Sixteen @entity1 @entity1348 discs without degenerative changes were taken from fresh cadavers to investigate the presence and distribution of @entity3261 by immunohistochemistry. The aim of the study was to gain additional insights into the biomolecular composition of aquaporins and their role in homeostasis of the @entity1348 . Porcine @entity1348 discs were also studied by Western blotting for comparison. Scattered @entity3261 immunoexpression was detected in @entity1 disc cells, documenting its constitutive expression, but differences amongst the three disc regions were not significant. @entity3261 expression was demonstrated in porcine @entity1348 disc by Western blotting. Our findings suggest that @entity3261 is normally expressed in the @entity1348 disc and confirm a role for it in the maintenance of @entity1348 homeostasis. Further studies are needed to elucidate expression patterns of aquaporins in diseased @entity1348 discs.

XXXX expression in @entity1 temporomandibular disc.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human'] @entity3261 :: ('358', 'Gene') :: ['AQP1'] @entity1348 :: ('MESH:D013706', 'Disease') :: ['TMJ', 'temporomandibular joint']
@entity3261 :: (358,Gene) :: ['Aquaporin 1']
