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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Urinary System01:13

Introduction to Urinary System

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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...
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Internal Anatomy of the Kidney01:12

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The kidneys are essential organs in the human body, performing a myriad of tasks that maintain homeostasis and overall health.
Anatomical Position and Dimensions
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs positioned against the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the spine, roughly between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is typically 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams.
Renal Cortex
The outermost region of the kidney is the...
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Nephrons01:10

Nephrons

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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...
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Filtration and Urine Formation01:32

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The function of the kidneys is to filter, reabsorb, secrete, and excrete. Every day the kidneys filter nearly 180 liters of blood, initially removing water and solutes but ultimately returning nearly all filtrates into circulation with the help of osmoregulatory hormones. This process removes wastes and toxins but is also crucial to maintain water and electrolyte levels. Most of these functions are performed by the tiny but numerous nephrons contained within the kidneys.
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Disorders of the Urinary System01:20

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The urinary system is responsible for eliminating waste and excess fluids from the body. However, disorders of the urinary system can arise due to various reasons like infections, stress, age, congenital abnormalities, and lifestyle.
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Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct01:24

Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct

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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):
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model
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Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model

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Intercalated cell function, kidney innate immunity, and urinary tract infections.

Andrew L Schwaderer1, Evan Rajadhyaksha2, Jorge Canas2

  • 1Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, 699 Riley Hospital Drive, STE 230, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. Schwadea@iu.edu.

Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology
|January 16, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Intercalated cells in the kidney collecting duct defend against bacterial infections using antimicrobial peptides and phagocytosis. Impaired cells reduce bacterial clearance, highlighting their crucial role in kidney immunity.

Keywords:
Antimicrobial peptideCollecting ductUrinary tract infectionUrine acidification

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Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Intercalated cells (ICs) reside in the kidney collecting duct, a critical site for immune defense against ascending bacterial infections.
  • ICs are positioned to be among the first kidney cells to encounter pathogens originating from the urinary tract.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and function of kidney intercalated cells.
  • To emphasize the innate immune capabilities of intercalated cells in combating kidney infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on intercalated cell function and immune responses.
  • Analysis of studies investigating antimicrobial peptide gene expression and polymorphisms in ICs.
  • Examination of murine models and human studies related to ICs and urinary tract infections.

Main Results:

  • Intercalated cells produce antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with direct bactericidal effects, often upregulated during infection.
  • Multiallelic AMP genes and specific genetic variations in humans impact resistance to kidney and urinary tract infections.
  • Impaired or depleted ICs in murine models lead to reduced bacterial clearance after infection.

Conclusions:

  • Intercalated cells possess multifaceted innate immune functions, including AMP production and phagocytosis.
  • Genetic factors influencing IC-expressed AMPs are critical for host defense against kidney infections.
  • Immune signaling pathways in ICs represent potential therapeutic targets for managing kidney infections and inflammation.