PURPOSE/AIM:To determine the transcriptional regulation of retinal aquaporins (AQPs) in rat models of transient and permanent retinal ischemia, and to prove the effects of chemical hypoxia, oxidative stress, glucose, and osmotic alterations on the expression of AQP9 in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Transient retinal ischemia-reperfusion in rats was induced by elevation of the intraocular pressure for 1 hour. Permanent retinal ischemia was induced by argon laser-induced retinal vein occlusion. The mRNA levels were determined one day after ischemia. RESULTS:Transient and permanent ischemia of the rat retina resulted in downregulation of AQPs 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 11 in the RPE and/or neural retina. Pressure-induced transient retinal ischemia-induced upregulation of AQP9 in the neuroretina and RPE, and of AQ12 in the neuroretina. Retinal vein occlusion induced upregulation of AQP0 in the neuroretina and RPE, and of AQP9 and AQP12 in the neuroretina. In cultured human RPE cells, transcriptional expression of AQP9 was stimulated by chemical hypoxia, oxidative stress, VEGF, and high glucose. CONCLUSIONS:The data may suggest that the expression of retinal AQP9 is regulated by metabolic and oxidative stress. Upregulation of AQP9 in RPE cells may prevent lactic acidosis and subretinal edema under ischemic and oxidative stress conditions.