Down-regulation of AQP4 Inhibits Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Aquaporins (AQPs), proteinaceous water channels, have been proposed as mediators of tumour development and progression. However, the role of aquaporin 4 (AQP4), a member of the AQP family, in breast cancer has not been distinctly evaluated. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of AQP4 down-regulation on proliferation, migration and invasion in human breast cancer. To determine this effect, siRNA interference was used to knock down its expression in T47D and MCF-7 cell lines. Down-regulation of AQP4 resulted in increased expression of E-cadherin along with an inhibitory effect on the proliferation, migration and invasion in breast cancer cells. In addition, AQP4 regulation of cell proliferation could be related with the ERK/Ecadherin pathway. In conclusion, the present data have suggested that down-regulation of AQP4 inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion.