Kidney transplantation, especially when associated with acute rejection, leads to changes in the expression of many genes, including those encoding solute transporters and water channels. In a rat model of acute rejection after allogeneic renal transplantation, impaired renal function, increased urine volume, and increased fractional excretion of sodium were observed. Gene array analysis revealed that these findings were associated with significant downregulation of water channels (aquaporin-1, -2, -3, and -4) and transporters of sodium, glucose, urea, and other solutes. In addition, changes in expression of various receptors, kinases, and phosphatases that modulate the expression or activity of renal transport systems were observed. Syngeneic transplantation or treatment with cyclosporine A following allogeneic transplantation did not impair graft function but did lead to the downregulation of aquaporin-1, -3, and -4 and several solute transporters. However, expression of aquaporin-2 and the epithelial sodium channel did not change, suggesting that the downregulation of these transporters following allogeneic transplantation is rejection-dependent. In conclusion, changes in gene expression may explain the impaired handling of solute and water after allogeneic transplantation, especially during acute rejection. Treatment with cyclosporine A improves the regulation of solute and water by preventing the downregulation of aquaporin-2 and epithelial sodium channel, even though many other transporter genes remain downregulated. Renal transplantation (TX) in humans is often accompanied by increased transport capacities of the graft and disturbances in salt and water homeostasis. 1-3 Half-life of grafts with normal function after TX is 11.5 yr compared with 7.2 yr for those with impaired renal function. 4 A better understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to such changes may help to increase longterm graft survival.Previously, using an allogeneic rat renal TX (aTX) model, we have demonstrated acute changes in expression and function of several transporters and receptors after aTX. 5,6 For example, the expression of Na ϩ /H ϩ -exchanger-3 (NHE3), aquaporin-2 (AQP2), and the epithelial Na ϩ channel (ENaC) were downregulated at the protein and mRNA level. Major transporters for water and Na ϩ reabsorption in the collecting duct (CD) are ENaC and AQP2. 7 The expression and activity of AQP2 are regulated by the antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin, AVP) via the G-protein coupled AVP-2 receptor (V2R). 8 The binding of AVP to the V2R leads to the activation of the G-protein Gs, followed by activation of adenylate cyclase (AC), increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, activation of protein kinase A (PKA), and finally phosphorylation of AQP2 9 and translocation to the