Lysosomal degradation of retinal glial AQP4 following its internalization induced by acute ocular hypertension.

The membrane-bound water channel aquaporin-4 plays a significant role in the regulation of water movement within the retina. In retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, changes in the expression and localization of aquaporin-4 have been reported. Previous studies also suggest that the internalization of several membrane-bound proteins, including aquaporin-4, may occur with or without lysosomal degradation.