Computer simulation of aquaporin4-dependent water transfer across the hematoencephalic barrier

Abstract

A computational simulation of water transfer across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been carried out. In the developed model, AQP4 plays a kinetically limiting role in water transfer across the BBB. The effects of the AQP4 specific density changes and its polarized distribution have been studied in respect to the volumetric water transfer. It has been demonstrated that AQP4 density and polarization within the glial membranes enveloping the capillary can affect the volumetric flow and the sign of the water flux. The results might be used for elucidation of the pathogenic mechanism of cerebral edema and in development of the ways of pharmacological correction of the cerebral water metabolism disorders.