Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Isolating and Imaging Live, Intact Pacemaker Regions of Mouse Renal Pelvis by Vibratome Sectioning
07:38

Isolating and Imaging Live, Intact Pacemaker Regions of Mouse Renal Pelvis by Vibratome Sectioning

Published on: April 30, 2021

Oscillating cortical thick ascending limb cells at the juxtaglomerular apparatus

Peter Komlosi1, Boglarka Banizs, Attila Fintha

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. komlosi@musc.edu

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN
|June 20, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Tubular epithelial cells near the macula densa show spontaneous calcium (Ca2+) oscillations. These oscillations are influenced by sodium chloride concentration and tubular flow, suggesting a role in kidney function.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cell Physiology
  • Renal Physiology

Background:

  • Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) dynamics are crucial for cellular function.
  • The macula densa plays a key role in regulating glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow.
  • Little is known about calcium signaling in tubular epithelial cells surrounding the macula densa.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate spontaneous intracellular Ca2+ oscillations in tubular epithelial cells near the macula densa.
  • To determine the factors influencing these Ca2+ oscillations, including luminal sodium chloride concentration and flow.
  • To explore the potential role of these oscillations in juxtaglomerular signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and perfusion of the cortical thick ascending limb-distal tubule with attached glomerulus.
  • Utilized four-dimensional multiphoton microscopy and wide-field fluorescence microscopy with fura-2.
  • Measured intracellular Ca2+ concentration and basolateral membrane potential.

Main Results:

  • Spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations (63 mHz) were observed in tubular cells within 100 microm of the macula densa at low luminal sodium chloride.
  • Ca2+ oscillations were absent in macula densa cells.
  • Oscillation amplitude increased with activation of the Ca2+-sensing receptor.
  • Increased luminal sodium chloride concentration and flow enhanced Ca2+ oscillation amplitude and intracellular Ca2+ concentration.
  • Furosemide attenuated sodium chloride-dependent changes, while hydrochlorothiazide had no effect.

Conclusions:

  • Tubular epithelial cells at the macula densa perimeter exhibit spontaneous intracellular Ca2+ oscillations.
  • These oscillations are enhanced by tubular flow and luminal sodium chloride concentration.
  • The findings suggest a potential role for these oscillatory patterns in juxtaglomerular signaling and kidney regulation.

More Related Videos

Single-channel Analysis and Calcium Imaging in the Podocytes of the Freshly Isolated Glomeruli12:19

Single-channel Analysis and Calcium Imaging in the Podocytes of the Freshly Isolated Glomeruli

Published on: June 27, 2015

Glomerular Outgrowth as an Ex Vivo Assay to Analyze Pathways Involved in Parietal Epithelial Cell Activation06:39

Glomerular Outgrowth as an Ex Vivo Assay to Analyze Pathways Involved in Parietal Epithelial Cell Activation

Published on: August 19, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Hormonal Regulation01:33

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
Nephrons01:10

Nephrons

The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma happens...
Renal Corpuscle01:20

Renal Corpuscle

The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...
Physiology of the Genitourinary System II: Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion01:22

Physiology of the Genitourinary System II: Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion

The kidneys maintain homeostasis through filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. Tubular reabsorption and secretion are crucial in forming urine and regulating electrolytes, water balance, and waste elimination.Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion ProcessesTubular reabsorption is the process that reclaims essential substances such as electrolytes, glucose, amino acids, and water from the glomerular filtrate back into the bloodstream. This is achieved through passive and active transport...
Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct01:24

Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct

The renal tubule is divided into three parts: the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), the Loop of Henle (LOH), and the distal convoluted tubule (DCT).
Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT):
The PCT is the initial segment of the renal tubule, extending from the Bowman's capsule that encloses the glomerulus. Its convoluted structure and microvilli-lined cells increase the surface area for reabsorption. The PCT reabsorbs glucose, amino acids, sodium, and water from the filtrate, ensuring essential...
Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Regulation01:28

Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Regulation

The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a measure of kidney function, reflecting the volume of filtrate formed per minute in the kidneys. On average, GFR is approximately 125 mL/min in males and 105 mL/min in females. Maintaining a relatively constant GFR is essential for the kidneys to effectively regulate body fluid homeostasis and maintain extracellular stability.
GFR regulation involves two primary intrinsic controls: the myogenic and tubuloglomerular feedback mechanisms.
The myogenic...