A new view of macula densa cell microanatomy
Georgina Gyarmati, Urvi Nikhil Shroff, Anne Riquier‐Brison, Wilhelm Kriz, Brigitte Kaissling, Christopher R. Neal, Kenton P. Arkill, Nariman Ahmadi, Inderbir S. Gill, Ju‐Young Moon, Dorinne Desposito, János Peti‐Peterdi
Abstract
This study illuminated a physiologically regulated dense network of basal cell major and minor processes (maculapodia) in macula densa (MD) cells. The newly identified dynamic and secretory features of these microanatomical structures suggest the presence of novel functional and molecular pathways of cell-to-cell communication in the juxtaglomerular apparatus between MD and other target cells. Detailed characterization of the function and molecular details of MD cell intercellular communications and their role in physiology and disease warrant further studies.