Aquaporins and the glymphatic-neuroimmune axis in brain health and disease

In neuroscience, the dynamic interplay between aquaporins, the glymphatic system, and the neuroimmune axis has garnered significant attention for its critical role in maintaining brain homeostasis and contributing to neurological disease. Recent studies reveal that aquaporin water channels, particularly AQP4, are fundamental in facilitating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) transport through the glymphatic pathway, promoting waste clearance and nutrient distribution. Dysregulation of these molecular and cellular interactions is increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammatory states, and impaired neural function. Despite the advances in characterizing aquaporin expression and glymphatic flow using imaging biomarkers, crucial knowledge gaps remain regarding their molecular mechanisms and their interface with brain immune responses. Major debates persist about the causal relationships and therapeutic potential of targeting these interconnected systems, highlighting the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to accelerate discovery and clinical application.

This Research Topic aims to advance the mechanistic understanding of how aquaporins, glymphatic function, and neuroimmune communication intersect to influence both physiological brain function and the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Contributions are encouraged that clarify the key molecular events regulating these pathways, uncover novel imaging or fluid biomarkers, and provide translational perspectives that link preclinical discovery to potential clinical interventions. In particular, this Research Topic seeks to challenge current paradigms, foster integration between molecular biology, neuroimmunology, and imaging sciences, and identify actionable strategies for diagnosis or therapy.

To gather further insights into the shared and distinct mechanisms of aquaporin-mediated glymphatic and neuroimmune processes in neurological health and disease, we welcome articles focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Molecular regulation of aquaporins in the central nervous system
- Mechanistic studies on glymphatic transport and brain waste clearance
- Interactions between the glymphatic system and neuroimmune cells
- Imaging biomarkers of glymphatic and neuroimmune dysfunction in neurological disorders
- Translational studies linking preclinical discovery to diagnostics or therapeutic approaches
- Cutting-edge advances in in vivo imaging of aquaporins and glymphatic function
- Clinical implications and therapeutic targeting of the glymphatic–neuroimmune axis

We welcome original research, reviews, perspectives, hypothesis and theory, clinical case reports, and methods articles.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Aquaporins, Glymphatic system, Neuroimmune axis, Imaging biomarkers

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.