Kidney tubules: intertubular, vascular, and glomerular cross-talk.

Joseph V Bonventre, David A Ferenbach

Journal: Current opinion in nephrology and hypertension 2017;25(3):194-202

PMID: 27023838

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Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The kidney mediates the excretion or conservation of water and electrolytes in the face of changing fluid and salt intake and losses. To ultrafilter and reabsorb the exact quantities of free water and salts to maintain euvolemia a range of endocrine, paracrine, and hormonal signaling systems have evolved linking the tubules, capillaries, glomeruli, arterioles, and other intrinsic cells of the kidney. Our understanding of these systems remains incomplete.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent work has provided new insights into the workings of the communication pathways between tubular segments and the glomeruli and vasculature, with novel therapeutic agents in development. Particular progress has also been made in the visualization of tubuloglomerular feedback.

SUMMARY

The review summarizes our current understanding of pathway functions in health and disease, as well as future therapeutic options to protect the healthy and injured kidney.

Address: aDepartment of Medicine, Renal Division and Biomedical Engineering Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA bCentre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK cHarvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Division of Health Sciences and Technology dHarvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA *David A. Ferenbach is funded by an Intermediate Clinical Fellowship from the Wellcome Trust.

DOI: 10.1097/MNH.0000000000000218