scholarly journals Impact of renal medullary three-dimensional architecture on oxygen transport

2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (3) ◽  
pp. F263-F272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan C. Fry ◽  
Aurélie Edwards ◽  
Ioannis Sgouralis ◽  
Anita T. Layton
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Delivery ◽  
Interstitial Fluid ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Fluid Composition ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
The Impact

We have developed a highly detailed mathematical model of solute transport in the renal medulla of the rat kidney to study the impact of the structured organization of nephrons and vessels revealed in anatomic studies. The model represents the arrangement of tubules around a vascular bundle in the outer medulla and around a collecting duct cluster in the upper inner medulla. Model simulations yield marked gradients in intrabundle and interbundle interstitial fluid oxygen tension (Po2), NaCl concentration, and osmolality in the outer medulla, owing to the vigorous active reabsorption of NaCl by the thick ascending limbs. In the inner medulla, where the thin ascending limbs do not mediate significant active NaCl transport, interstitial fluid composition becomes much more homogeneous with respect to NaCl, urea, and osmolality. Nonetheless, a substantial Po2 gradient remains, owing to the relatively high oxygen demand of the inner medullary collecting ducts. Perhaps more importantly, the model predicts that in the absence of the three-dimensional medullary architecture, oxygen delivery to the inner medulla would drastically decrease, with the terminal inner medulla nearly completely deprived of oxygen. Thus model results suggest that the functional role of the three-dimensional medullary architecture may be to preserve oxygen delivery to the papilla. Additionally, a simulation that represents low medullary blood flow suggests that the separation of thick limbs from the vascular bundles substantially increases the risk of the segments to hypoxic injury. When nephrons and vessels are more homogeneously distributed, luminal Po2 in the thick ascending limb of superficial nephrons increases by 66% in the inner stripe. Furthermore, simulations predict that owing to the Bohr effect, the presumed greater acidity of blood in the interbundle regions, where thick ascending limbs are located, relative to that in the vascular bundles, facilitates the delivery of O2 to support the high metabolic requirements of the thick limbs and raises NaCl reabsorption.

scholarly journals Urine concentrating mechanism: impact of vascular and tubular architecture and a proposed descending limb urea-Na+ cotransporter

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (5) ◽  
pp. F591-F605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita T. Layton ◽  
William H. Dantzler ◽  
Thomas L. Pannabecker
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Interstitial Fluid ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Renal Medulla ◽  
Fluid Composition ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Vasa Recta ◽  
Countercurrent Exchange ◽  
Thin Limb

We extended a region-based mathematical model of the renal medulla of the rat kidney, previously developed by us, to represent new anatomic findings on the vascular architecture in the rat inner medulla (IM). In the outer medulla (OM), tubules and vessels are organized around tightly packed vascular bundles; in the IM, the organization is centered around collecting duct clusters. In particular, the model represents the separation of descending vasa recta from the descending limbs of loops of Henle, and the model represents a papillary segment of the descending thin limb that is water impermeable and highly urea permeable. Model results suggest that, despite the compartmentalization of IM blood flow, IM interstitial fluid composition is substantially more homogeneous compared with OM. We used the model to study medullary blood flow in antidiuresis and the effects of vascular countercurrent exchange. We also hypothesize that the terminal aquaporin-1 null segment of the long descending thin limbs may express a urea-Na+ or urea-Cl− cotransporter. As urea diffuses from the urea-rich papillary interstitium into the descending thin limb luminal fluid, NaCl is secreted via the cotransporter against its concentration gradient. That NaCl is then reabsorbed near the loop bend, raising the interstitial fluid osmolality and promoting water reabsorption from the IM collecting ducts. Indeed, the model predicts that the presence of the urea-Na+ or urea- Cl− cotransporter facilitates the cycling of NaCl within the IM and yields a loop-bend fluid composition consistent with experimental data.

scholarly journals Modulation of outer medullary NaCl transport and oxygenation by nitric oxide and superoxide

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (5) ◽  
pp. F979-F996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Edwards ◽  
Anita T. Layton
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Active Transport ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Nacl Transport ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Medullary Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Stimulation Of

We expanded our region-based model of water and solute exchanges in the rat outer medulla to incorporate the transport of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2−) and to examine the impact of NO-O2− interactions on medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) NaCl reabsorption and oxygen (O2) consumption, under both physiological and pathological conditions. Our results suggest that NaCl transport and the concentrating capacity of the outer medulla are substantially modulated by basal levels of NO and O2−. Moreover, the effect of each solute on NaCl reabsorption cannot be considered in isolation, given the feedback loops resulting from three-way interactions between O2, NO, and O2−. Notwithstanding vasoactive effects, our model predicts that in the absence of O2−-mediated stimulation of NaCl active transport, the outer medullary concentrating capacity (evaluated as the collecting duct fluid osmolality at the outer-inner medullary junction) would be ∼40% lower. Conversely, without NO-induced inhibition of NaCl active transport, the outer medullary concentrating capacity would increase by ∼70%, but only if that anaerobic metabolism can provide up to half the maximal energy requirements of the outer medulla. The model suggests that in addition to scavenging NO, O2− modulates NO levels indirectly via its stimulation of mTAL metabolism, leading to reduction of O2 as a substrate for NO. When O2− levels are raised 10-fold, as in hypertensive animals, mTAL NaCl reabsorption is significantly enhanced, even as the inefficient use of O2 exacerbates hypoxia in the outer medulla. Conversely, an increase in tubular and vascular flows is predicted to substantially reduce mTAL NaCl reabsorption. In conclusion, our model suggests that the complex interactions between NO, O2−, and O2 significantly impact the O2 balance and NaCl reabsorption in the outer medulla.

Immunolocalization of electroneutral Na-HCO3 − cotransporter in rat kidney

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (5) ◽  
pp. F901-F909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Vorum ◽  
Tae-Hwan Kwon ◽  
Christiaan Fulton ◽  
Brian Simonsen ◽  
Inyeong Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Electron Microscopic Level ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Intercalated Cells ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Outer Stripe ◽  
Medullary Collecting Duct

An electroneutral Na-HCO3 − cotransporter (NBCN1) was recently cloned, and Northern blot analyses indicated its expression in rat kidney. In this study, we determined the cellular and subcellular localization of NBCN1 in the rat kidney at the light and electron microscopic level. A peptide-derived antibody was raised against the COOH-terminal amino acids of NBCN1. The affinity-purified antibody specifically recognized one band, ∼180 kDa, in rat kidney membranes. Peptide- N-glycosidase F deglycosylation reduced the band to ∼140 kDa. Immunoblotting of membrane fractions from different kidney regions demonstrated strong signals in the inner stripe of the outer medulla (ISOM), weaker signals in the outer stripe of the outer medulla and inner medulla, and no labeling in cortex. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that NBCN1 immunolabeling was exclusively observed in the basolateral domains of thick ascending limb (TAL) cells in the outer medulla (strongest in ISOM) but not in the cortex. In addition, collecting duct intercalated cells in the ISOM and in the inner medulla also exhibited NBCN1 immunolabeling. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that NBCN1 labeling was confined to the basolateral plasma membranes of TAL and collecting duct type A intercalated cells. Immunolabeling controls were negative. By using 2,7-bis-carboxyethyl-5,6-caboxyfluorescein, intracellular pH transients were measured in kidney slices from ISOM and from mid-inner medulla. The results revealed DIDS-sensitive, Na- and HCO3 −-dependent net acid extrusion only in the ISOM but not in mid-inner medulla, which is consistent with the immunolocalization of NBCN1. The localization of NBCN1 in medullary TAL cells and medullary collecting duct intercalated cells suggests that NBCN1 may be important for electroneutral basolateral HCO3 − transport in these cells.

Expression of urea transporters in the developing rat kidney

2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (3) ◽  
pp. F530-F540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Hee Kim ◽  
Dong-Un Kim ◽  
Ki-Hwan Han ◽  
Ju-Young Jung ◽  
Jeff M. Sands ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Outer Part ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Intense Staining ◽  
Short Loop ◽  
Adult Kidney ◽  
Developing Rat

Urea transport in the kidney is mediated by a family of transporter proteins that includes renal urea transporters (UT-A) and erythrocyte urea transporters (UT-B). Because newborn rats are not capable of producing concentrated urine, we examined the time of expression and the distribution of UT-A and UT-B in the developing rat kidney by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. Kidneys from 16-, 18-, and 20-day-old fetuses, 1-, 4-, 7-, 14-, and 21-day-old pups, and adult animals were studied. In the adult kidney, UT-A was expressed intensely in the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) and terminal portion of the short-loop descending thin limb (DTL) and weakly in long-loop DTL in the outer part of the inner medulla. UT-A immunoreactivity was not present in the fetal kidney but was observed in the IMCD and DTL in 1-day-old pups. The intensity of UT-A immunostaining in the IMCD gradually increased during postnatal development. In 4- and 7-day-old pups, UT-A immunoreactivity was present in the DTL at the border between the outer and inner medulla. In 14- and 21-day-old pups, strong UT-A immunostaining was observed in the terminal part of short-loop DTL in the outer medulla, and weak labeling remained in long-loop DTL descending into the outer part of the inner medulla. In the adult kidney, there was intense staining for UT-B in descending vasa recta (DVR) and weak labeling of glomeruli. In the developing kidney, UT-B was first observed in the DVR of a 20-day-old fetus. After birth there was a striking increase in the number of UT-B-positive DVR, in association with the formation of vascular bundles. The intensity of immunostaining remained strong in the outer medulla but gradually decreased in the inner medulla. We conclude that the expression of urea transporters in short-loop DTL and DVR coincides with the development of the ability to produce a concentrated urine.

A region-based mathematical model of the urine concentrating mechanism in the rat outer medulla. II. Parameter sensitivity and tubular inhomogeneity

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (6) ◽  
pp. F1367-F1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita T. Layton ◽  
Harold E. Layton
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Concentrating Mechanism ◽  
Vasa Recta ◽  
Urine Concentrating Mechanism

In a companion study (Layton AT and Layton HE. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 289: F1346–F1366, 2005), a region-based mathematical model was formulated for the urine concentrating mechanism (UCM) in the outer medulla (OM) of the rat kidney. In the present study, we quantified the sensitivity of that model to several structural assumptions, including the degree of regionalization and the degree of inclusion of short descending limbs (SDLs) in the vascular bundles of the inner stripe (IS). Also, we quantified model sensitivity to several parameters that have not been well characterized in the experimental literature, including boundary conditions, short vasa recta distribution, and ascending vasa recta (AVR) solute permeabilities. These studies indicate that regionalization elevates the osmolality of the fluid delivered into the inner medulla via the collecting ducts; that model predictions are not significantly sensitive to boundary conditions; and that short vasa recta distribution and AVR permeabilities significantly impact concentrating capability. Moreover, we investigated, in the context of the UCM, the functional significance of several aspects of tubular segmentation and heterogeneity: SDL segments in the IS that are likely to be impermeable to water but highly permeable to urea; a prebend segment of SDLs that may be functionally like thick ascending limb (TAL); differing IS and outer stripe Na+ active transport rates in TAL; and potential active urea secretion into the proximal straight tubules. Model calculations predict that these aspects of tubular of segmentation and heterogeneity generally enhance solute cycling or promote effective UCM function.

Monoaminergic innervation of the rat kidney: a quantitative study

1990 ◽  
Vol 259 (3) ◽  
pp. F503-F511 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Barajas ◽  
K. Powers
Keyword(s):  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Sympathetic Innervation ◽  
Renal Tubules ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Renal Vasculature ◽  
Indirect Measure ◽  
Afferent Arterioles

The sympathetic innervation of the renal tubules and vasculature was characterized by measuring the overlap of accumulations of autoradiographic grains (AAGs) on these structures in autoradiograms of kidney sections from rats injected with tritiated norepinephrine. AAG overlap was used as an indirect measure of the innervation of those structures. The renal vasculature showed x 4.5 more AAG overlap than observed on renal tubules. The greatest amount of AAG overlap occurred on afferent arterioles, followed by efferent arterioles, interlobular arteries, cortical capillaries, arcuate arteries, and renal veins. High concentration of AAGs occurred along the vascular bundles of the outer stripe. In the tubular nephron the proximal tubule had the greatest amount of AAG overlap, followed by the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle, the connecting tubule, the distal convoluted tubule, and the collecting duct. It was found that afferent arterioles had significantly higher mean density of AAG overlap than efferent arterioles for the superficial, midcortical, and juxtamedullary (vascular bundles excluded) renal cortex. There was consistently more AAG perimeter facing the interstitium than overlapping the vasculature. These observations, together with the ultrastructural distribution of synaptic vesicles in varicosities, suggest that the interstitium might be an additional pathway of neurotransmitter access to the effector structures.

scholarly journals A mathematical model of O2 transport in the rat outer medulla. I. Model formulation and baseline results

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (2) ◽  
pp. F517-F536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Chen ◽  
Anita T. Layton ◽  
Aurélie Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Structural Organization ◽  
Capillary Flow ◽  
Renal Medulla ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Vasa Recta ◽  
Complex Structural ◽  
The Impact

The mammalian kidney is particularly vulnerable to hypoperfusion, because the O2 supply to the renal medulla barely exceeds its O2 requirements. In this study, we examined the impact of the complex structural organization of the rat outer medulla (OM) on O2 distribution. We extended the region-based mathematical model of the rat OM developed by Layton and Layton ( Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 289: F1346–F1366, 2005) to incorporate the transport of RBCs, Hb, and O2. We considered basal cellular O2 consumption and O2 consumption for active transport of NaCl across medullary thick ascending limb epithelia. Our model predicts that the structural organization of the OM results in significant Po2 gradients in the axial and radial directions. The segregation of descending vasa recta, the main supply of O2, at the center and immediate periphery of the vascular bundles gives rise to large radial differences in Po2 between regions, limits O2 reabsorption from long descending vasa recta, and helps preserve O2 delivery to the inner medulla. Under baseline conditions, significantly more O2 is transferred radially between regions by capillary flow, i.e., advection, than by diffusion. In agreement with experimental observations, our results suggest that 79% of the O2 supplied to the medulla is consumed in the OM and that medullary thick ascending limbs operate on the brink of hypoxia.

Localization and regulation of the rat renal Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter, BSC-1

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (3) ◽  
pp. F619-F628 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Ecelbarger ◽  
J. Terris ◽  
J. R. Hoyer ◽  
S. Nielsen ◽  
J. B. Wade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Rat Colon ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Water Excretion ◽  
Saline Loading ◽  
Cloned Cdna ◽  
Urinary Concentrating Ability

To investigate the role of the thick ascending limb (TAL) Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter in regulation of water excretion, we have prepared a peptide-derived polyclonal antibody based on the cloned cDNA sequence of the rat type 1 bumetanide-sensitive cotransporter, BSC-1 (also termed "NKCC-2"). Immunoblots revealed a single broad 161-kDa band in membrane fractions of rat renal outer medulla and cortex but not from rat colon or parotid gland. A similar protein was labeled in mouse kidney. Immunoperoxidase immunohistochemistry in rat kidney revealed labeling restricted to the medullary and cortical TAL segments. Because long-term regulation of urinary concentrating ability may depend on regulation of Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter abundance, we used immunoblotting to evaluate the effects of several in vivo factors on expression levels of BSC-1 protein in rat kidney outer medulla. Chronic oral saline loading with 0.16 M NaCl markedly increased BSC-1 abundance. However, long-term vasopressin infusion or thirsting of rats did not affect BSC-1 abundance. Chronic furosemide infusion caused a 9-kDa upward shift in apparent molecular mass and an apparent increase in expression level. These results support the previous identification of BSC-1 as the TAL Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- transporter and demonstrate that the expression of this transporter is regulated.

scholarly journals Inhibition of calcium signaling in descending vasa recta endothelia by ANG II

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (4) ◽  
pp. H1248-H1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas L. Pallone ◽  
Erik P. Silldorff ◽  
Zhong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Collecting Duct ◽  
No Production ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Vasomotor Tone ◽  
Medullary Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Vasa Recta ◽  
Medullary Collecting Duct ◽  
Peak Phase

The intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) response of outer medullary descending vasa recta (OMDVR) endothelia to ANG II was examined in fura 2-loaded vessels. Abluminal ANG II (10− 8 M) caused [Ca2+]i to fall in proportion to the resting [Ca2+]i ( r =0.82) of the endothelium. ANG II (10− 8 M) also inhibited both phases of the [Ca2+]i response generated by bradykinin (BK, 10− 7 M), 835 ± 201 versus 159 ± 30 nM (peak phase) and 169 ± 26 versus 103 ± 14 nM (plateau phase) (means ± SE). Luminal ANG II reduced BK (10− 7 M)-stimulated plateau [Ca2+]i from 180 ± 40 to 134 ± 22 nM without causing vasoconstriction. Abluminal ANG II added to the bath after luminal application further reduced [Ca2+]i to 113 ± 9 nM and constricted the vessels. After thapsigargin (TG) pretreatment, ANG II (10− 8 M) caused [Ca2+]i to fall from 352 ± 149 to 105 ± 37 nM. This effect occurred at a threshold ANG II concentration of 10− 10 M and was maximal at 10− 8 M. ANG II inhibited both the rate of Ca2+ entry into [Ca2+]i-depleted endothelia and the rate of Mn2+ entry into [Ca2+]i-replete endothelia. In contrast, ANG II raised [Ca2+]i in the medullary thick ascending limb and outer medullary collecting duct, increasing [Ca2+]i from baselines of 99 ± 33 and 53 ± 11 to peaks of 200 ± 47 and 65 ± 11 nM, respectively. We conclude that OMDVR endothelia are unlikely to be the source of ANG II-stimulated NO production in the medulla but that interbundle nephrons might release Ca2+-dependent vasodilators to modulate vasomotor tone in vascular bundles.

Regional and segmental localization of AE2 anion exchanger mRNA and protein in rat kidney

1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (4) ◽  
pp. F461-F468 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. C. Brosius ◽  
K. Nguyen ◽  
A. K. Stuart-Tilley ◽  
C. Haller ◽  
J. P. Briggs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Chloride Concentration ◽  
Transepithelial Transport ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Cortical Collecting Duct ◽  
Base Exchange ◽  
Medullary Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Nephron Segment ◽  
Medullary Collecting Duct

Chloride/base exchange activity has been detected in every mammalian nephron segment in which it has been sought. However, in contrast to the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger AE1 in type A intercalated cells, localization of AE2 within the kidney has not been reported. We therefore studied AE2 expression in rat kidney. AE2 mRNA was present in cortex, outer medulla, and inner medulla. Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction of cDNA from microdissected tubules revealed AE2 cDNA levels as follows [copies of cDNA derived per mm tubule (+/- SE)]: proximal convoluted tubule, 688 +/- 161; proximal straight tubule, 652 +/- 189; medullary thick ascending limb, 1,378 +/- 226; cortical thick ascending limb, 741 +/- 24; cortical collecting duct, 909 +/- 71; and outer medullary collecting duct, 579 +/- 132. AE2 cDNA was also amplified in thin limbs and in inner medullary collecting duct. AE2 polypeptide was detected in all kidney regions. AE2 mRNA and protein were also detected in several renal cell lines. The data are compatible with the postulated roles of AE2 in maintenance of intracellular pH and chloride concentration and with its possible participation in transepithelial transport.

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