Cell-cell communication in the kidney microcirculation

TY - JOUR

T1 - Cell-cell communication in the kidney microcirculation

AU - Sørensen, Charlotte Mehlin

AU - von Holstein-Rathlou, Niels-Henrik

PY - 2012/7

Y1 - 2012/7

N2 - In the renal vasculature of humans, rats, and mice, at least four isoforms of Cx, Cxs 37, 40, 43, and 45 are expressed. In the ECs, Cx40 is the predominantly expressed Cx, whereas Cx45 is suggested to be expressed in the VSMCs. The preglomerular vasculature has a higher expression of Cxs than the postglomerular vasculature. Cxs form gap junctions between neighboring cells, and as in other organ systems, the major function of Cxs in the kidney appears to be mediation of intercellular communication. Cxs may also form hemichannels that allow cellular secretion of signaling molecules like ATP, and thereby mediate paracrine signaling. Renal Cxs facilitate vascular conduction, juxtaglomerlar apparatus calcium signaling, and enable ECs and VSMCs to communicate. Thus, current research suggests multiple roles for Cxs in important regulatory mechanisms within the kidney, including the renin-angiotensin system, TGF, and salt and water homeostasis. Interestingly, changes in the activity of the renin-angiotensin system or changes in blood pressure seem to affect the expression of the renal vascular Cxs. At the systemic level, renal Cxs may be involved in blood pressure regulation, and possibly in the pathogenesis of hypertension and diabetes.

AB - In the renal vasculature of humans, rats, and mice, at least four isoforms of Cx, Cxs 37, 40, 43, and 45 are expressed. In the ECs, Cx40 is the predominantly expressed Cx, whereas Cx45 is suggested to be expressed in the VSMCs. The preglomerular vasculature has a higher expression of Cxs than the postglomerular vasculature. Cxs form gap junctions between neighboring cells, and as in other organ systems, the major function of Cxs in the kidney appears to be mediation of intercellular communication. Cxs may also form hemichannels that allow cellular secretion of signaling molecules like ATP, and thereby mediate paracrine signaling. Renal Cxs facilitate vascular conduction, juxtaglomerlar apparatus calcium signaling, and enable ECs and VSMCs to communicate. Thus, current research suggests multiple roles for Cxs in important regulatory mechanisms within the kidney, including the renin-angiotensin system, TGF, and salt and water homeostasis. Interestingly, changes in the activity of the renin-angiotensin system or changes in blood pressure seem to affect the expression of the renal vascular Cxs. At the systemic level, renal Cxs may be involved in blood pressure regulation, and possibly in the pathogenesis of hypertension and diabetes.

U2 - 10.1111/j.1549-8719.2011.00149.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1549-8719.2011.00149.x

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22118633

SN - 1073-9688

VL - 19

SP - 451

EP - 460

JO - Microcirculation

JF - Microcirculation

IS - 5

ER -