Research Progress on the Correlation between Aquaporin-4 and Brain Edema

Aquaporin-4( AQP4) is a water-channel protein expressed strongly in the brain,predominantly distributed in basolateral membranes of ependymal cells and in the plasma membranes of astrocytes. Such characteristics of distribution suggests that AQP4 controls water fluxes into and out of the brain,and plays a major role in the formation and elimination of brain edema after brain damage. The modulation of AQP4 expression can provide a theoretical basis on the molecular level for cerebral edema and water metabolic diseases,and may be beneficial to the treatment for several cerebral disorders,including cerebral hemorrhage,cerebral ischemia,hydrocephalus,tumor,and traumatic brain injury.