Figure 6.

A schematic drawing of rapid AQP4e-dependent changes in cell swelling and RVD in astrocytes. Astrocytes in hypoosmotic conditions (marked by light gray) respond by rapid swelling and by subsequent RVD, both of which are faster in cells overexpressing AQP4e. The maximal volume increase at the end of the swelling phase is smaller in cells overexpressing AQP4e compared with nontransfected cells (ΔV2 < ΔV1; changes in cell volume in different phases can also be observed by comparing the cell area in dark gray compared with the initial cell volume in white). In addition, the recovery of the cell volume during the RVD phase was higher in cells overexpressing AQP4e compared with nontransfected cells.