scholarly journals Transport efficiency and workload distribution in a mathematical model of the thick ascending limb

2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (6) ◽  
pp. F653-F664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aniel Nieves-González ◽  
Chris Clausen ◽  
Anita T. Layton ◽  
Harold E. Layton ◽  
Leon C. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Concentration Gradient ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Cell Volume Regulation ◽  
Mass Conservation ◽  
Ph Control ◽  
Tubuloglomerular Feedback ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Transport Pathways ◽  
Transport Efficiency

The thick ascending limb (TAL) is a major NaCl reabsorbing site in the nephron. Efficient reabsorption along that segment is thought to be a consequence of the establishment of a strong transepithelial potential that drives paracellular Na+ uptake. We used a multicell mathematical model of the TAL to estimate the efficiency of Na+ transport along the TAL and to examine factors that determine transport efficiency, given the condition that TAL outflow must be adequately dilute. The TAL model consists of a series of epithelial cell models that represent all major solutes and transport pathways. Model equations describe luminal flows, based on mass conservation and electroneutrality constraints. Empirical descriptions of cell volume regulation (CVR) and pH control were implemented, together with the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) system. Transport efficiency was calculated as the ratio of total net Na+ transport (i.e., paracellular and transcellular transport) to transcellular Na+ transport. Model predictions suggest that 1) the transepithelial Na+ concentration gradient is a major determinant of transport efficiency; 2) CVR in individual cells influences the distribution of net Na+ transport along the TAL; 3) CVR responses in conjunction with TGF maintain luminal Na+ concentration well above static head levels in the cortical TAL, thereby preventing large decreases in transport efficiency; and 4) under the condition that the distribution of Na+ transport along the TAL is quasi-uniform, the tubular fluid axial Cl− concentration gradient near the macula densa is sufficiently steep to yield a TGF gain consistent with experimental data.

scholarly journals Fluid dilution and efficiency of Na+ transport in a mathematical model of a thick ascending limb cell

2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (6) ◽  
pp. F634-F652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aniel Nieves-González ◽  
Chris Clausen ◽  
Mariano Marcano ◽  
Anita T. Layton ◽  
Harold E. Layton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Cell Volume Regulation ◽  
Mass Conservation ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Transport Efficiency ◽  
Nacl Concentration ◽  
Model Equations ◽  
Static Head

Thick ascending limb (TAL) cells are capable of reducing tubular fluid Na+ concentration to as low as ∼25 mM, and yet they are thought to transport Na+ efficiently owing to passive paracellular Na+ absorption. Transport efficiency in the TAL is of particular importance in the outer medulla where O2 availability is limited by low blood flow. We used a mathematical model of a TAL cell to estimate the efficiency of Na+ transport and to examine how tubular dilution and cell volume regulation influence transport efficiency. The TAL cell model represents 13 major solutes and the associated transporters and channels; model equations are based on mass conservation and electroneutrality constraints. We analyzed TAL transport in cells with conditions relevant to the inner stripe of the outer medulla, the cortico-medullary junction, and the distal cortical TAL. At each location Na+ transport efficiency was computed as functions of changes in luminal NaCl concentration ([NaCl]), [K+], [NH4+], junctional Na+ permeability, and apical K+ permeability. Na+ transport efficiency was calculated as the ratio of total net Na+ transport to transcellular Na+ transport. Transport efficiency is predicted to be highest at the cortico-medullary boundary where the transepithelial Na+ gradient is the smallest. Transport efficiency is lowest in the cortex where luminal [NaCl] approaches static head.

Macula densa Na+/H+ exchange activities mediated by apical NHE2 and basolateral NHE4 isoforms

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (3) ◽  
pp. F452-F463 ◽  
Author(s):  
János Peti-Peterdi ◽  
Régine Chambrey ◽  
Zsuzsanna Bebok ◽  
Daniel Biemesderfer ◽  
Patricia L. St. John ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Initial Rate ◽  
Basolateral Membrane ◽  
Cell Volume Regulation ◽  
Macula Densa ◽  
Tubuloglomerular Feedback ◽  
Rabbit Kidney ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Acid Load ◽  
Immunohistochemical Studies ◽  
Nhe Isoforms

Functional and immunohistochemical studies were performed to localize and identify Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) isoforms in macula densa cells. By using the isolated perfused thick ascending limb with attached glomerulus preparation dissected from rabbit kidney, intracellular pH (pHi) was measured with fluorescence microscopy by using 2′,7′-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and -6) carboxyfluorescein. NHE activity was assayed by measuring the initial rate of Na+-dependent pHi recovery from an acid load imposed by prior lumen and bath Na+ removal. Removal of Na+ from the bath resulted in a significant, DIDS-insensitive, ethylisopropyl amiloride (EIPA)-inhibitable decrease in pHi. This basolateral transporter showed very low affinity for EIPA and Hoechst 694 (IC50 = 9.0 and 247 μM, respectively, consistent with NHE4). The recently reported apical NHE was more sensitive to inhibition by these drugs (IC50 = 0.86 and 7.6 μM, respectively, consistent with NHE2). Increasing osmolality, a known activator of NHE4, greatly stimulated basolateral NHE. Immunohistochemical studies using antibodies against NHE1–4 peptides demonstrated expression of NHE2 along the apical and NHE4 along the basolateral, membrane, whereas NHE1 and NHE3 were not detected. These results suggest that macula densa cells functionally and immunologically express NHE2 at the apical membrane and NHE4 at the basolateral membrane. These two isoforms likely participate in Na+ transport, pHi, and cell volume regulation and may be involved in tubuloglomerular feedback signaling by these cells.

scholarly journals Investigation of source attributions of pollution to the Western Arctic during the NASA ARCTAS field campaign

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 8823-8855 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Bian ◽  
P. Colarco ◽  
M. Chin ◽  
G. Chen ◽  
A. R. Douglass ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transport Model ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Anthropogenic Emissions ◽  
Transport Pathway ◽  
Transport Pathways ◽  
Transport Efficiency ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
Arctic Pollution ◽  
Western Arctic ◽  
Along Track

Abstract. We present analysis of simulations using the NASA GEOS-5 chemistry and transport model to quantify contributions from different continents to the Western Arctic pollution, to investigate pollution sources and to identify transport pathways. We compare DC-8 airborne measurements of CO, SO2, BC and SO4 from the NASA Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS) field campaigns (spring and summer, 2008) and observations from the AIRS instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite to demonstrate the strengths and limitations of our simulations and to support this application of the model. Comparisons of measurements along the flight tracks with regional averages show that the along-track measurements are representative of the region in April but not in July. Our simulations show that most Arctic pollutants are due to Asian anthropogenic emissions during April. Boreal biomass burning emissions and Asian anthropogenic emissions are of similar importance in July. European sources make little contribution to pollution in the campaign domain during either period. The most prevalent transport pathway of the tracers is from Asia to the Arctic in both April and July, with the transport efficiency stronger in spring than in summer.

Multihormonal regulation of nephron epithelia: achieved through combinational mode?

1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (4) ◽  
pp. R739-R748 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. De Rouffignac
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Hormonal Regulation ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Basolateral Membrane ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Transport Pathways ◽  
Receptor Complexes ◽  
Nephron Segment ◽  
Urinary Concentrating Ability

The kidney is the main organ regulating composition of body fluids. A considerable number of hormones control the activity of renal cells to maintain hydromineral equilibrium. It becomes more and more difficult to interpret this multihormonal control in terms of regulatory processes. To illustrate this complexity, the hormonal regulation of electrolyte transport in the nephron thick ascending limb is taken as an example. This nephron segment is largely responsible for two kidney functions: the urinary-concentrating ability (by its capacity to deliver hypertonic sodium chloride into the medullary interstitium) and regulation of magnesium excretion into final urine. Six hormones are presently identified as acting on the transport of both sodium chloride and magnesium ions in this nephron segment. Therefore, the pertinent question is how the thick ascending limb and, hence, the kidney, is capable of regulating water balance independently from magnesium balance. It is proposed that the hormones act in combination: circulating levels of the individual hormones acting on these cells may determine the configuration of the paracellular and transcellular transport pathways of the epithelium either in the “sodium” or “magnesium” mode. The configuration would depend on the distribution and activity of the receptor at the surface of the basolateral membrane in contact with the circulating hormones. This distribution along with stimulation of respective signal transduction pathways would lead to the final biological effects. It is already known that the distribution of cell receptors may vary according to factors such as age, nutritional variability, hormonal status, degree of desensitization of the receptors, etc. The modulation of hormonal responses would depend therefore on the degree of coupling of hormone-receptor complexes to different intracellular transduction pathways and on the resulting negative and/or positive interactions between these pathways.

Nonlinear filter properties of the thick ascending limb

1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (4) ◽  
pp. F625-F634 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Layton ◽  
E. Bruce Pitman ◽  
Leon C. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Frequency Response ◽  
Transit Time ◽  
Concentration Profile ◽  
Tubuloglomerular Feedback ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Transport Parameters ◽  
Nodal Structure ◽  
Nacl Concentration ◽  
Fluid Transit Time

A mathematical model was used to investigate the filter properties of the thick ascending limb (TAL), that is, the response of TAL luminal NaCl concentration to oscillations in tubular fluid flow. For the special case of no transtubular NaCl backleak and for spatially homogeneous transport parameters, the model predicts that NaCl concentration in intratubular fluid at each location along the TAL depends only on the fluid transit time up the TAL to that location. This exact mathematical result has four important consequences: 1) when a sinusoidal component is added to steady-state TAL flow, the NaCl concentration at the macula densa (MD) undergoes oscillations that are bounded by a range interval envelope with magnitude that decreases as a function of oscillatory frequency; 2) the frequency response within the range envelope exhibits nodes at those frequencies where the oscillatory flow has a transit time to the MD that equals the steady-state fluid transit time (this nodal structure arises from the establishment of standing waves in luminal concentration, relative to the steady-state concentration profile, along the length of the TAL); 3) for any dynamically changing but positive TAL flow rate, the luminal TAL NaCl concentration profile along the TAL decreases monotonically as a function of TAL length; and 4) sinusoidal oscillations in TAL flow, except at nodal frequencies, result in nonsinusoidal oscillations in NaCl concentration at the MD. Numerical calculations that include NaCl backleak exhibit solutions with these same four properties. For parameters in the physiological range, the first few nodes in the frequency response curve are separated by antinodes of significant amplitude, and the nodes arise at frequencies well below the frequency of respiration in rat. Therefore, the nodal structure and nonsinusoidal oscillations should be detectable in experiments, and they may influence the dynamic behavior of the tubuloglomerular feedback system.

Abstract 36: Deficiency in the Production of 20-HETE Contributes to Impaired Myogenic and TGF Responses in the Afferent Arteriole of Dahl S Rats

Hypertension ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Ge ◽  
Fan Fan ◽  
Sydney R Murphy ◽  
Jan Michael Williams ◽  
Ruisheng Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Injury ◽  
Tubuloglomerular Feedback ◽  
Brown Norway ◽  
Sodium Reabsorption ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Afferent Arteriole ◽  
Synthesis Inhibitor ◽  
Renal Vasculature ◽  
Luminal Diameter ◽  
Consomic Strain

Previous studies have indicated that a deficiency in the formation of 20-HETE in the proximal tubule and thick ascending limb of Henle in Dahl S rats increases sodium reabsorption and contributes to the development of hypertension. The present study examined whether the lack of 20-HETE production in the renal vasculature contributes to the progression of renal injury by altering the myogenic or tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) response of the afferent arteriole (Af-Art). The production of 20-HETE was significantly lower by 54% in renal microvessels isolated from the kidneys of Dahl S rats versus that seen than in SS.5BN consomic strain in which chromosome 5 from the Brown Norway (BN) rat containing the CYP4A genes responsible for the formation of 20-HETE was transferred into the Dahl S genetic background. The luminal diameter of the Af-Art decreased by 14.7± 1.5% (from 20.5 ± 0.7 to 17.5 ± 0.8 μm, n=6) in SS.5BN rats whereas the diameter of the Af-Art remained unaltered in Dahl S rats (from 20.1 ± 0.6 to 21.7 ± 0.6 μm, n=7) when the perfusion pressure was increased from 60 mmHg to 120 mmHg. In other experiments, adenosine (1 μM) reduced the diameter of the Af-Art in the SS.5BN rats by 15±0.7% (from 20.1 ±0.4 to 17.1 ± 0.9 μm, n=3) whereas the Af-Art of Dahl S rats was unaltered. However, administration of a 20-HETE synthesis inhibitor, HET0016 (1 μM, n=6), or a selective 20-HETE antagonist, 6, 15-20-HEDE (10 μM, n=6) completely blocked the myogenic and adenosine responses in the Af-Art of SS.5BN rats but it had no effect in Dahl S rats. Administration of a 20-HETE agonist, 5, 14-20-HEDE (1 μM) restored the myogenic response (from 20.7 ± 0.7 to 17.6 ± 0.6 μm, n=7) and vasoconstrictor response to adenosine in the Af-Art of Dahl S rats. These studies confirm the key role of 20-HETE in modulating the responsiveness of the Af-Art and indicate that a deficiency in the formation of 20-HETE in renal microvessels contributes to the marked susceptibility of Dahl S rats to develop hypertension induced renal injury.

Micropuncture analysis of single-nephron function in NHE3-deficient mice

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (3) ◽  
pp. F447-F453 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Lorenz ◽  
Patrick J. Schultheis ◽  
Timothy Traynor ◽  
Gary E. Shull ◽  
Jürgen Schnermann
Keyword(s):  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
Distal Tubule ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Tubuloglomerular Feedback ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Fluid Reabsorption ◽  
Fluid Delivery ◽  
Single Nephron ◽  
Flow Pressure

The Na/H exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3) is expressed in the proximal tubule and thick ascending limb and contributes to the reabsorption of fluid and electrolytes in these segments. The contribution of NHE3 to fluid reabsorption was assessed by micropuncture in homozygous ( Nhe3 −/−) and heterozygous ( Nhe3 +/−) knockout mice, and in their wild-type (WT, Nhe3 +/+) littermates. Arterial pressure was lower in the Nhe3 −/−mice (89 ± 6 mmHg) compared with Nhe3 +/+ (118 ± 4) and Nhe3 +/−(108 ± 5). Collections from proximal and distal tubules demonstrated that proximal fluid reabsorption was blunted in both Nhe3 +/− and Nhe3 −/−mice (WT, 4.2 ± 0.3; Nhe3 +/−, 3.4 ± 0.2; and Nhe3 −/−, 2.6 ± 0.3 nl/min; P < 0.05). However, distal delivery of fluid was not different among the three groups of mice (WT, 3.3 ± 0.4 nl/min; Nhe3 +/−, 3.3 ± 0.2 nl/min; and Nhe3 −/−, 3.0 ± 0.4 nl/min; P < 0.05). In Nhe3 −/−mice, this compensation was largely attributable to decreased single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR): 10.7 ± 0.9 nl/min in the Nhe3 +/+ vs. 6.6 ± 0.8 nl/min in the Nhe3 −/−, measured distally. Proximal-distal SNGFR differences in Nhe3 −/−mice indicated that much of the decrease in SNGFR was due to activation of tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF), and measurements of stop-flow pressure confirmed that TGF is intact in Nhe3 −/−animals. In contrast to Nhe3 −/−mice, normalization of early distal flow rate in Nhe3 +/−mice was not related to decreased SNGFR (9.9 ± 0.7 nl/min), but rather, to increased fluid reabsorption in the loop segment ( Nhe3 +/+, 2.6 ± 0.2; Nhe3 +/−, 3.6 ± 0.5 nl/min). We conclude that NHE3 is a major Na/H exchanger isoform mediating Na+ and fluid reabsorption in the proximal tubule. In animals with NHE3 deficiency, normalization of fluid delivery to the distal tubule is achieved through alterations in filtration rate and/or downstream transport processes.

Depolarization of the macula densa induces superoxide production via NAD(P)H oxidase

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (6) ◽  
pp. F1867-F1872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruisheng Liu ◽  
Jeffrey L. Garvin ◽  
YiLin Ren ◽  
Patrick J. Pagano ◽  
Oscar A. Carretero
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Oxidase Inhibitor ◽  
Fluorescent Dye ◽  
Macula Densa ◽  
Superoxide Production ◽  
Tubuloglomerular Feedback ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Loop Of Henle ◽  
Nacl Concentration

Superoxide (O2−) enhances tubuloglomerular feedback by scavenging nitric oxide at the macula densa. However, the singling pathway of O2− production in the macula densa is not known. We hypothesized that the increase in tubular NaCl concentration that initiates tubuloglomerular feedback induces O2− production by the macula densa via NAD(P)H oxidase, which is activated by macula densa depolarization. We isolated and microperfused the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle and attached macula densa in rabbits. A fluorescent dye, dihydroethidium, was used to detect O2− production at the macula densa. When luminal NaCl was switched from 10 to 80 mM, a situation of initiating maximum tubuloglomerular feedback response, O2− production significantly increased. To make sure that the shifts in the oxyethidium/dihydroethidium ratio were due to changes in O2−, we used tempol (10−4 M), a stable membrane-permeant superoxide dismutase mimetic. With tempol present, when we switched from 10 to 80 mM NaCl, the increase in oxyethidium/dihydroethidium ratio was blocked. To determine the source of O2−, we used the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor apocynin. When luminal NaCl was switched from 10 to 80 mM in the presence of apocynin, O2− production was inhibited by 80%. To see whether the effect of increasing luminal NaCl involves Na-K-2Cl cotransporters, we inhibited them with furosemide. When luminal NaCl was switched from 10 to 80 mM in the presence of furosemide, O2− production was blocked. To test whether depolarization of the macula densa induces O2− production, we artificially induced depolarization by adding valinomycin (10−6 M) and 25 mM KCl to the luminal perfusate. Depolarization alone significantly increases O2− production. We conclude that increasing luminal NaCl induces O2− production during tubuloglomerular feedback. O2− generated by the macula densa is primarily derived from NAD(P)H oxidase and is induced by depolarization.

scholarly journals Potential role of luminal potassium in tubuloglomerular feedback.

1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1831-1837 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Vallon ◽  
H Osswald ◽  
R C Blantz ◽  
S Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Macula Densa ◽  
Tubuloglomerular Feedback ◽  
K Channel ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Retrograde Perfusion ◽  
Luminal Membrane ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Tubular Flow

Transport through the Na+-2Cl(-)-K+ cotransporter in the luminal membrane of macula densa cells is considered critical for tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). Although various studies could support the importance of luminal Na+ and Cl-, the role of luminal K+ in TGF has not been thoroughly addressed. The study presented here examines this issue in nephrons with superficial glomeruli of anesthetized male Munich-Wistar-Frömter rats. Ambient Na+ concentration in early distal tubular fluid was approximately 22 mM, suggesting collection sites relatively close to the macula densa segment. First, it was found that ambient early distal tubular K+ concentration is approximately 1.3 mM, i.e., close to the K+ affinity of the Na+-2Cl(-)-K+ cotransporter in the thick ascending limb. Second, it was observed that a change in late proximal tubular flow rate, i.e., a maneuver that is known to induce a TGF response, significantly alters early distal tubular K+ concentration. Third, previous experiments failed to show an inhibition in TGF response during retrograde perfusion of the macula densa with K+-free solutions. Because of a potential K+ influx into the lumen between the perfusion site and the macula densa, however, the K+ channel blocker U37883A was added to the K+-free perfusate. TGF response was assessed as the fall in nephron filtration rate in response to retrograde perfusion of the macula densa segment from early distal tubular site. It was observed that luminal U37883A (100 microM) significantly attenuated TGF. Because adding 5 mM KCl to the perfusate restored TGF in the presence of U37883A and because the inhibitory action of U37883A on tubular K+ secretion was confirmed, the effect of U37883A on TGF was most likely caused by inhibition of K+ influx into the perfused segment, which decreased luminal K+ concentration at the macula densa. The present findings support a potential role for luminal K+ in TGF, which is in accordance with a transmission of the TGF signal across the macula densa via Na+-2Cl(-)-K+ cotransporter.

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