Aquaporins and Meniere's disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Review of the role of aquaporins in inner ear homeostasis and potential role in the pathogenesis of Meniere's disease.

RECENT FINDINGS: Recent findings include the immunolocalization of aquaporins in the inner ear of mouse, rat, and human to cell types that are likely to undergo high ionic perturbances (e.g. potassium flux) and to putative areas of endolymph resorption or cycling.

SUMMARY: The expression of aquaporins and related proteins in the human cochlea and vestibular periphery resembles the distribution found in animal models, suggesting a critical role of aquaporins in inner ear water homeostasis and their potential role in the pathogenesis of Meniere's disease.