ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Kidney
;
Contractile structures
;
Embryonic metanephros
;
Electron microscopy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Cytoplasmic filaments have been observed in the cells of normal and pathological kidneys. These filaments are usually grouped into bundles anchored to electron dense bodies underlying the cell membrane. In the embryonic human metanephros the filaments are found within the cells of different portions of the nephron at various stages of development. They appear first in the podocytes, almost simultaneously in the Bowman's capsule and tubular cells, then in the “mesangial cells”, and finally in the cells of the media of the afferent glomerular and interlobular arterioles. The presence of filaments and their attachment bodies in the mammalian nephron suggests that the podocytes and the so-called mesangial cells have a contractile activity, thus representing an intraglomerular apparatus which regulates the intravascular pressure, blood flow and filtration rate in the glomerular capillaries, whilst the contractile activity of the Bowman's capsule and proximal, distal, and collecting tubules, could facilitate the progression of the filtrate. The increase in number of the filaments in some pathological conditions is probably related to the functional changes of the intraluminal pressure in the glomerular capillaries, in the Bowman's space, and in the tubular lumen.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00307061
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