The water channel aquaporin-1 : multi-faceted role in the peritoneal membrane

Peritoneal dialysis is the major home-based renal replacement therapy. Survival on peritoneal dialysis is determined by the efficient removal of water and correction of acid-base imbalance. Aquaporin-1 is the archetypal member of aquaporin channels, which selectively transport water across biological membranes. In the peritoneal membrane, AQP1 water channels are expressed in the endothelium lining peritoneal microvessel and mediate the osmotic water flux during peritoneal dialysis. However, additional functions of AQP1 within the peritoneal membrane remain to be elucidated. In this thesis, we investigated additional roles of AQP1 in the peritoneal membrane including generation of water flux with alternative osmotic agents; acid-base homeostasis; and mediation of peritoneal inflammation and angiogenesis. These data improve our knowledge of the roles of AQP1 in the peritoneum and reveal novel therapeutic perspectives for peritoneal dialysis patients.