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Aquaporin-4 in Acute Cerebral Edema Produced by Clostridium perfringens Type D Epsilon Toxin

Hanson Institute Centre for Neurological Diseases, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide SA, Australia

Abstract

Sheep, particularly lambs, with high circulating levels of Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon toxin develop severe neurologic signs and often die suddenly. On microscopic examination, in the brain, there is microvascular endothelial injury and diffuse vasogenic edema. The aquaporin (AQP) family of membrane water-channel proteins, especially AQP-4, is important in the regulation of water balance in the brain and facilitates reabsorption of excess fluid. In rats given epsilon toxin, generalized cerebral edema was demonstrated by marked albumin extravasation and was correlated with widespread upregulation of AQP-4 in astrocytes. These results suggest that AQP-4 has a role in the clearance of edema fluid from brains damaged by this clostridial toxin.

Key words: Aquaporin-4; cerebral edema; Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon toxin; rats.

Request reprints from Professor Peter Blumbergs, Head, Hanson Institute Centre for Neurological Diseases, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, PO Box 14 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000 (Australia). E-mail: peter.blumbergs{at}imvs.sa.gov.au