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

Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

6.9K
Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...
6.9K
Transcellular Transport of Solutes01:23

Transcellular Transport of Solutes

4.6K
Transcellular transport of solutes is the movement of substances like monosaccharides and amino acids through polarized cells. This transport mechanism is primarily seen in epithelial and endothelial cells aided by membrane transport proteins such as channels and transporters. The tight junctions between these cells confine the membrane proteins to the two sides of the cell. The epithelial cells have distinct apical and basolateral domains. In contrast, the endothelial cells show the luminal...
4.6K
Aquaporins01:25

Aquaporins

6.1K
Aquaporins or AQPs are a family of integral membrane proteins whose primary function is to transport water, while some called aquaglyceroporins also transport glycerol. In addition, aquaporins have also been suspected to be involved in transporting volatile substances, such as carbon dioxide and ammonia, across membranes. Such AQPs that act as gas channels are often highly expressed in cells involved in the gaseous exchange, such as red blood cells, epithelial cells, and pulmonary capillaries.
6.1K
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss01:57

Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss

27.9K
Though evaporation from plant leaves drives transpiration, it also results in loss of water. Because water is critical for photosynthetic reactions and other cellular processes, evolutionary pressures on plants in different environments have driven the acquisition of adaptations that reduce water loss.
27.9K
Permeability of Concrete01:25

Permeability of Concrete

459
Permeability in the context of concrete refers to how easily liquids or gases can pass through the material. This quality is crucial for assessing the water-tightness and durability of concrete structures and their resistance to chemical attacks. Concrete permeability can be determined through comparative laboratory tests. These tests typically involve sealing a concrete specimen from the sides, applying water pressure to the top surface with pressure, and measuring the amount of water passing...
459
Epithelial Tissues and Their Functions01:23

Epithelial Tissues and Their Functions

37.8K
Epithelial tissues are large sheets of cells covering all of the surfaces of the body. These surfaces can be internal or external, for example, skin, airways, the digestive tract, the urinary system, and the reproductive system. Hollow organs and body cavities that do not connect to the body's exterior, including blood vessels and serous membranes, are lined by epithelial tissue known as the endothelium.
Epithelial tissues provide the body's first line of protection from physical,...
37.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Force and resistance in physiology.

Current research in physiology·2026
Same author

Macromolecular Crowding in Cell Stress and Death.

Sub-cellular biochemistry·2025
Same author

Label-Free Quantification of Protein Density in Living Cells.

Current protocols·2025
Same author

Delayed vacuolation in mammalian cells caused by hypotonicity and ion loss.

Scientific reports·2024
Same author

Stability of Intracellular Protein Concentration under Extreme Osmotic Challenge.

Cells·2021
Same author

Studying cell volume beyond cell volume.

Current topics in membranes·2021
Same journal

Epistemology of the Origin of Cancer IV: Predisposing Conditions for Metastases.

Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Exploring the Influence of Schisandrin B on Mice with Multiple Myeloma.

Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Metabolic Syndrome: a Clinical Case Report and Literature Review.

Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Effects of Urolithin A on Mitochondrial Homeostasis Disruption by LPS in C2C12 Myotubes.

Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology·2026
Same journal

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and Pulmonary Immunity: a Systems Biology Perspective on Its Role in Lung Diseases.

Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology·2026
Same journal

mTOR Signalling in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Unveiling Key Factors, Mechanistic Insights, and Possible Therapeutic Interventions.

Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 14, 2026

An Intravital Microscopy-Based Approach to Assess Intestinal Permeability and Epithelial Cell Shedding Performance
07:32

An Intravital Microscopy-Based Approach to Assess Intestinal Permeability and Epithelial Cell Shedding Performance

Published on: December 3, 2020

6.4K

Epithelial Impermeability to Water: A Second Look.

Lydia G Gibson1, Elena K DeFilippo1, Austin Mahajan2

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA.

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry : International Journal of Experimental Cellular Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology
|October 25, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Kidney tubules, like the collecting duct and ascending Henle loop, are permeable to water, challenging traditional views. This finite water permeability allows significant fluid reabsorption into the hypertonic medulla.

Keywords:
Countercurrent MechanismsLoop of HenleRenal Collecting DuctsWater Permeability

More Related Videos

In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability
10:22

In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability

Published on: October 19, 2018

26.7K
Endothelial Cell Transcytosis Assay as an In Vitro Model to Evaluate Inner Blood-Retinal Barrier Permeability
10:56

Endothelial Cell Transcytosis Assay as an In Vitro Model to Evaluate Inner Blood-Retinal Barrier Permeability

Published on: June 7, 2022

5.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 14, 2026

An Intravital Microscopy-Based Approach to Assess Intestinal Permeability and Epithelial Cell Shedding Performance
07:32

An Intravital Microscopy-Based Approach to Assess Intestinal Permeability and Epithelial Cell Shedding Performance

Published on: December 3, 2020

6.4K
In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability
10:22

In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability

Published on: October 19, 2018

26.7K
Endothelial Cell Transcytosis Assay as an In Vitro Model to Evaluate Inner Blood-Retinal Barrier Permeability
10:56

Endothelial Cell Transcytosis Assay as an In Vitro Model to Evaluate Inner Blood-Retinal Barrier Permeability

Published on: June 7, 2022

5.9K

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Renal Physiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The ascending limb of the Henle loop's impermeability is crucial for kidney countercurrent multiplication.
  • Water permeability of kidney tubules, particularly the collecting duct, is debated.
  • Phospholipid bilayers, the basis of cell membranes, possess inherent water permeability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the water permeability of kidney tubules, specifically the ascending limb of the Henle loop and the collecting duct.
  • To determine if these tubules exhibit unusual resistance to water flow.
  • To assess the contribution of tubular water permeability to renal fluid reabsorption.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of published data on water permeability.
  • Review of osmotic shock experiments.
  • Estimation of fluid reabsorption based on water permeability.

Main Results:

  • Kidney tubules, including the collecting duct and ascending Henle loop, possess finite water permeability.
  • Osmotic shock experiments confirm sufficient water permeability for volume regulation effects.
  • Estimated 20-50% of tubular fluid can be reabsorbed into a hypertonic medulla.

Conclusions:

  • The collecting duct and ascending Henle loop are not impermeable to water.
  • These epithelia do not display unusual resistance to water flow.
  • Unstirred layers in the intact kidney might contribute to perceived low permeability.