Aquaporin 4 and cerebrovascular disease

Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), a member of the aquaporin family, is mainly expressed in astrocytes end-feet in the central nervous system. A large number of experimental studies have shown that AQP4 expression plays an important role in the occurrence, development, and regression of brain edema after different types of stroke. In addition, the AQP4 expression can affect the development process of cerebrovascular disease through the mechanisms such as affecting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and promoting astrocyte migration, nerve regeneration, and neuroinflammatory response. Investigation of regulation mechanisms of AQP4 in transmembrane transport of substance in brain and intracellular and extracellular environmental balance and its expression in model of cerebrovascular disease have an important significance for understanding the occurrence, development, protection, and treatment of clinical cerebrovascular disease. Key words: Brain Ischemia; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Aquaporin 4; Brain Edema; Blood-Brain Barrier; Astrocytes