Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Hormonal Regulation

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.

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.

Renal Corpuscle

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 I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration

Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration

The kidneys are vital organs responsible for regulating blood filtration, waste excretion, and fluid balance, all of which are crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Renal physiology examines renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, and urine formation, ensuring the body’s internal environment remains stable.Renal Blood FlowThe kidneys receive about 20-25% of the cardiac output, typically around 1200 mL of blood per minute in an average adult. Blood flows into the kidneys through the renal...

Introduction to Urinary System

Introduction to Urinary System

The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the urinary bladder, and the urethra.
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the retroperitoneal space, on either side of the vertebral column, between the T12 and L3 vertebrae. They are partially protected by the rib cage and surrounded by perirenal fat, which provides cushioning. They are responsible for urine formation and play critical roles in regulating blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and hormone production. The ureters...

Physiology of the Genitourinary System II: Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Ultrasound-Based Techniques for Visualization of Dermal Microvasculature: A Scoping Review.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

Human lymph node microvascular imaging using a fast contrast-free super-resolution ultrasound technique.

Scientific reports·2025

Same author

Analysing the Renal Vasculature Using Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging: Considerations for Clinical and Research Applications.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

Same author

From blood flow to organ function: The physiology of autoregulatory dynamics.

Experimental physiology·2025

Same author

The Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rat as a Model for Vascular Changes in Diabetic Kidney Disease: Characterising Hydronephrosis.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

Same author

Toward a full-scale model of renal hemodynamics using a reconstructed vascular tree.

American journal of physiology. Renal physiology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Multilevel Microdissection and Functional-Structural Profiling of Human Renal Arterial Branches

Multilevel Microdissection and Functional-Structural Profiling of Human Renal Arterial Branches

Published on: September 5, 2025

Cell-cell communication in the kidney microcirculation.

Charlotte Mehlin Sorensen¹, Niels-Henrik Holstein-Rathlou

¹Division of Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. cmehlin@sund.ku.dk

Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994)

|November 29, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Connexins (Cxs) in the kidney regulate blood pressure and homeostasis by mediating cell communication. Their expression is altered by blood pressure and renin-angiotensin system activity, impacting hypertension and diabetes.

More Related Videos

A Novel Clinical Grade Isolation Method for Human Kidney Perivascular Stromal Cells

A Novel Clinical Grade Isolation Method for Human Kidney Perivascular Stromal Cells

Published on: August 7, 2017

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

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

Published on: June 27, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Multilevel Microdissection and Functional-Structural Profiling of Human Renal Arterial Branches

Multilevel Microdissection and Functional-Structural Profiling of Human Renal Arterial Branches

Published on: September 5, 2025

A Novel Clinical Grade Isolation Method for Human Kidney Perivascular Stromal Cells

A Novel Clinical Grade Isolation Method for Human Kidney Perivascular Stromal Cells

Published on: August 7, 2017

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

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

Published on: June 27, 2015

Area of Science:

Renal physiology
Vascular biology
Cellular communication

Background:

Four connexin (Cx) isoforms (Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, Cx45) are expressed in human, rat, and mouse renal vasculature.
Cx40 is predominant in endothelial cells (ECs), while Cx45 is found in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).
Preglomerular vasculature exhibits higher Cx expression than postglomerular vasculature.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the role of connexins (Cxs) in renal vascular function and regulation.
To investigate the involvement of Cxs in intercellular communication and paracrine signaling within the kidney.
To explore the connection between renal Cxs and key regulatory systems like the renin-angiotensin system, TGF, and homeostasis.

Main Methods:

Analysis of connexin isoform expression in renal vasculature.
Investigation of connexin roles in endothelial cell (EC) and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) communication.
Examination of connexin involvement in juxtaglomerular apparatus calcium signaling.
Assessment of connexin expression changes in response to renin-angiotensin system activity and blood pressure variations.

Main Results:

Renal Cxs mediate intercellular communication via gap junctions and paracrine signaling through hemichannels.
Cxs facilitate vascular conduction and calcium signaling in the juxtaglomerular apparatus.
Expression of renal vascular Cxs is influenced by changes in blood pressure and renin-angiotensin system activity.

Conclusions:

Renal Cxs play multifaceted roles in kidney regulatory mechanisms, including the renin-angiotensin system, TGF, and salt/water homeostasis.
Renal Cxs are implicated in systemic blood pressure regulation.
Dysregulation of renal Cxs may contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension and diabetes.