Making sense of the sensor: mysteries of the macula densa.
Increases in luminal NaCl concentration at the macula densa (MD), the sensing element, activate tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). MD cell volume increases when increments are isosmotic and shrinks if osmolality increases. This interesting finding introduces additional complexity to the role of the MD in TGF.
Blantz
R C
RC
University of California-San Diego and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California 92161, USA. rblantz@ucsd.edu
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D048429:Cell Size; D025461:Feedback, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D007686:Kidney Tubules, Distal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D012965:Sodium Chloride