Purpose: To determine whether the epithelium of the human nasolacrimal ducts contains aquaporins (AQPs), a family of membrane proteins that function as selective pores and are able to transport water, glycerol, and other small solutes across the cell plasma membrane.
Methods: Expression of AQPs 0 and 1-10 in human nasolacrimal duct tissue was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Positive PCR amplification products were verified by direct cDNA sequencing.