In summary, this study indicates that some AQP isoforms (AQP8 and
AQP3, in a lesser extent) are able to funnel H2O2across the plasma
membrane in the acute leukaemia B1647 cell line. Indeed, our data suggest that AQP8, but not AQP1, is able to transport Nox-generated H2O2
through cellular membranes affecting downstream redox signalling
pathways mediated by H2O2. Recent reports demonstrate that AQP iso-forms affect angiogenesis, cell migration and metastasis in a variety of
cancer cells; however, the suggested mechanisms do not include
H2O2-facilitated transport across plasma membrane by AQP[47]. Our
findings, for thefirst time, ascribe to AQP (AQP8, in particular) an important role in H2O2-mediated redox signalling linked to leukaemia
cell proliferation. Therefore, the development of new drugs targeting
specific AQP isoforms might be an interesting novel anti-leukaemia
strategy.