Abstract
Transport of plasma macromolecules across the arterial wall, apparently the earliest pre-atherosclerotic event, is known to involve pressure-driven flow of water and solutes through leaky junctions around endothelial cells that are dying, dividing or otherwise dysfunctional. Our group’s discovery of Aquaporin-1 (AQP) expression in rat aortic endothelial cells suggests a new possibility of water transport across the endothelial cell, alongside the generally accepted paracellular route. Blocking or downregulating endothelial aquaporins increases the pressure difference across the endothelium and compresses the subendothelial intima, thereby decreasing water transport through the paracellular route as well. The seminar will discuss the implications for macromolecular transport and intimal accumulation. Given AQP’s presence in the heart, lung and kidneys, our studies may have broader implications.
David Rumschitzki, Herbert G. Kayser Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Grove School of Engineering City College of New York