Role of the renin-angiotensin system in tubuloglomerular feedback

The link between the renal tubule and glomerular vasculature comprised of the juxtaglomerular apparatus appears to serve two functions: the regulation of filtration rate and of renin secretion. Elevation of macula densa NaCl concentration stimulates a vasoconstrictor response, which results in a fall in filtration rate, a response that has been termed tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). Simultaneously, renin secretion is suppressed. The two responses appear to be initiated by a furosemide-sensitive transport step probably located in the macula densa. Both show a pattern of anion specificity identical to Na/K/Cl cotransport mechanisms. An increase in intracellular calcium in the effector cells, the vascular smooth muscle, and the renin-containing granular cells is a likely effector mechanism for both reactions. Angiotensin probably does not mediate the vasoconstrictive feedback response, because changes in local (intracellular) angiotensin concentration would have to be opposite from systemic changes. However, acute changes in angiotensin levels appear to be an important modulator of the magnitude of the TGF response.