Aquaporin-5 (AQP5) is a member of the aquaporin family, a group of small integral membrane proteins that facilitate selective water transport across cellular membranes. Expressed primarily in exocrine glands (e.g., salivary, lacrimal), respiratory epithelium, and corneal tissues, AQP5 plays a critical role in maintaining fluid homeostasis, particularly in secretion processes like saliva production, tear formation, and airway hydration. Its function is tightly regulated by osmotic gradients, hormonal signals, and cellular pH. Dysregulation of AQP5 has been implicated in pathological conditions, including Sjögren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disorder causing dry mouth and eyes), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and certain cancers.
AQP5 antibodies are immunodetection tools designed to target and bind AQP5 proteins, enabling researchers to study their expression, localization, and functional roles. These antibodies are widely used in techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to investigate AQP5 distribution in tissues or quantify its expression under varying physiological or disease states. Both monoclonal and polyclonal AQP5 antibodies are available, with specificity validated through knockout controls or peptide-blocking assays. Recent studies also explore AQP5's potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target, particularly in cancers where its overexpression correlates with metastasis or poor prognosis. However, challenges remain in standardizing antibody performance across experimental models, necessitating rigorous validation for reliable reproducibility.