| Abstract: | Recent investigations have been aimed at understanding the ultrastructural-functional relationships within the kidney at organ, tubule, subcellular, and molecular levels. This has led to a redefinition and more precise segmentation of the renal tubule. For example, the connecting piece between distal tubule and collecting system has now been established. The use of immunocytochemical techniques, such as fluorescence, ferritin- or peroxidase-labelled immunoglobulin methods, has made it possible to identify proteins in the kidney especially in renal corpuscles. Two major noncollagenous glycoproteins, fibronectin and laminin, have now been identified in the glomerulus. The glycosaminoglycan, heparan sulfate, has been localized to the glomerular basement membrane and is thought to play an important role in charge perm-selectivity during glomerular filtration. Subtle changes in glomerular podocyte or endothelial cell structure are postulated by some to play a role in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure. The role of the mesangial cell in glomerular function is being studied in situ in homogeneous cell populations. These cells are capable of prostaglandin production and can contract in response to hormonal stimulation. The intimate positioning of short- and long-looped nephrons in the renal medulla and the unique nature of the pelvic epithelium correlates well with the purported role of urea recycling in the urinary concentrating mechanism. Determination of elemental concentration of soluble substances in various renal cell and extracellular compartments have been made using freeze-hydrated and freeze-dried cryosections of kidney tissue. The medullary and cortical ascending thick limbs of the distal tubule are morphologically and functionally distinct regions. Their response to hormonal stimulation and their enzymatic activities are quite different. Morphological studies of the collecting duct have provided new insight into the role this segment of the uriniferous tubule plays in fluid and electrolyte transport and urinary acidification. |
