The water channel AQP1 is expressed in human atherosclerotic vascular lesions and AQP1 deficiency augments angiotensin II‐induced atherosclerosis in mice

Aim The water channel aquaporin 1 (AQP1) promotes endothelial cell migration. It was hypothesized that AQP1 promotes neovascularization and growth of atherosclerotic plaques. Methods AQP1 immunoreactivity and protein abundance was examined in human and murine atherosclerotic lesions and aortic aneurysms. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout (−/−) and AQP1−/−ApoE−/− mice were developed and fed Western diet (WD) for 8 and 16 weeks to accelerate the atherosclerosis process. In ApoE−/− and AQP1−/−ApoE−/− mice abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) were induced by angiotensin II (ANGII) infusion by osmotic minipumps for 4 weeks. Results In human atherosclerotic lesions and AAA, AQP1 immunoreactive protein was associated with intralesional small vessels. In ApoE−/− mouse aorta, APQ1 mRNA levels were increased with time on WD (n = 7–9, P