Interferon gamma decreases intestinal epithelial aquaporin 3 expression through downregulation of constitutive transcription.

Aquaporin (AQP) 3 expression is altered in inflammatory bowel diseases, although the exact mechanisms regulating AQP abundance are unclear. Although interferon gamma (IFNγ) is centrally involved in intestinal inflammation, the effect of this cytokine on AQP3 expression remains unknown. HT-29 human colonic epithelial cells were treated with IFNγ to assess AQP3 mRNA expression by real-time RT-PCR and functional protein expression through the uptake of radiolabelled glycerol. Transient knockdown of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), STAT3, Sp1, and Sp3 were performed to determine the involvement of these transcription factors in the IFNγ-induced signalling cascade. AQP3 promoter regions involved in the response to IFNγ were assessed using a luciferase reporter system. Likewise, enteroids derived from human colonic biopsies were also treated with IFNγ to assess for changes in AQP3 mRNA expression. IFNγ decreased AQP3 mRNA expression in HT-29 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and reduced functional AQP3 protein expression (decreased KEY MESSAGES: • IFNγ suppresses the expression of AQP3 in intestinal epithelial cells. • Proximal AQP3 promoter elements are sufficient to drive constitutive expression and mediate the IFNγ-induced downregulation of AQP3 mRNA expression. • IFNγ-induced suppression of AQP3 is dependent upon STAT1 expression, but not STAT3, Sp1, or Sp3.