Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Renal Corpuscle01:20

Renal Corpuscle

3.6K
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...
3.6K
Glomerular Filtration01:15

Glomerular Filtration

2.5K
The filtration membrane in the renal system is a highly specialized structure essential for filtering blood. It consists of glomerular capillaries and podocytes, forming a selective barrier that permits the passage of water and small solutes while restricting most plasma proteins and blood cells.
Components of the Filtration Membrane
The filtration process involves three key layers: the glomerular endothelial cells, the basement membrane, and the podocyte-formed filtration slits.
2.5K
Kidney Structure01:45

Kidney Structure

71.1K
The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.
71.1K
Nephrons01:10

Nephrons

3.7K
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...
3.7K
Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Regulation01:28

Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Regulation

3.5K
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...
3.5K
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters01:11

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters

147
The upper urinary system comprises two kidneys and two ureters, which are crucial in filtering blood and forming urine.KidneysLocation and Structure:The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs positioned behind the peritoneum on either side of the spine.Kidneys are between the 12th thoracic (T12) and the 3rd lumbar (L3) vertebrae.The position of the liver causes the right kidney to sit slightly lower than the left.Protective Layers:Each kidney is enveloped in a tough, fibrous membrane called the...
147

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Correction: Jonsdotter et al. MerTK and the Role of Phagoptosis in Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia. <i>Cells</i> 2025, <i>14</i>, 1862.

Cells·2026
Same author

MerTK and the Role of Phagoptosis in Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia.

Cells·2025
Same author

Exenatide Is Neuroprotective in a New Rabbit Model of Hypoxia-Ischemia.

Cells·2025
Same author

Comparative analysis of commercial human primary mesangial cell, implications for experimental design.

BMC nephrology·2025
Same author

Kidney transcriptomics signature of prospective rapid diabetic kidney disease progression.

BMC nephrology·2025
Same author

Proteomic analysis of human kidney biopsies unveils emerging acute kidney injury very early after liver graft reperfusion.

Journal of translational medicine·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Optimizing Isolation and Purification of Murine Glomerular Mesangial Cells
04:46

Optimizing Isolation and Purification of Murine Glomerular Mesangial Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

504

The Glomerulus According to the Mesangium.

Kerstin Ebefors1, Lovisa Bergwall1, Jenny Nyström1

  • 1Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Frontiers in Medicine
|February 14, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Mesangial cells, often overlooked, are crucial for glomerular filtration and kidney health. This review explores their vital role in kidney function, disease, and cell signaling.

Keywords:
DKDIgANcrosstalkglomerular barrierglomerular diseasesglomerulusmesangial cells

More Related Videos

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney
10:14

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney

Published on: November 1, 2018

13.9K
Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
09:16

Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease

Published on: June 30, 2018

17.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Optimizing Isolation and Purification of Murine Glomerular Mesangial Cells
04:46

Optimizing Isolation and Purification of Murine Glomerular Mesangial Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

504
An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney
10:14

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney

Published on: November 1, 2018

13.9K
Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
09:16

Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease

Published on: June 30, 2018

17.9K

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • The glomerulus filters blood, forming primary urine via endothelium, basement membrane, and podocytes.
  • Mesangial cells form a central support structure within the glomerulus.
  • Glomerular components ensure selective filtration, preventing protein loss while allowing water and solute passage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the often-overlooked functional contribution of mesangial cells.
  • To review the role of mesangial cells in glomerular function and intra-glomerular communication.
  • To explain the mesangium's involvement in kidney disease pathogenesis and progression.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing research.
  • Literature review focusing on mesangial cell function and pathology.
  • Analysis of intra-glomerular signaling pathways involving mesangial cells.

Main Results:

  • Mesangial cells are integral to glomerular structure and function.
  • They play a key role in maintaining permselectivity and glomerular health.
  • The mesangium is implicated in the onset and progression of glomerular diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Mesangial cells are critical for maintaining glomerular permselectivity and overall kidney health.
  • Their central location and signaling capabilities underscore their importance in glomerular pathophysiology.
  • Further research into mesangial cell function is vital for understanding and treating kidney diseases.