Upregulation of AQP1 may represent a response of glial cells to osmotic imbalances in the retinal tissue and across the glio-vascular interface which may be caused by various factors including impaired glial water transport after downregulation of perivascular Kir4.1 and alteration in the blood osmolarity due to the kidney disease. The gene discussed is KCNJ10; the disease is kidney disorder.