2011). On the other hand, high Aqp9 expression has been associated with atherosclerosis in mice and humans (Inouye et al. 2012). While the reason for elevated plasma adenine and Nt5e expression in Aqp9−/− mice remains unclear, this observation provides an explanation for the correlation between Aqp9 expression and the development of atherosclerosis. Here, NT5E is linked to atherosclerosis.