Summary
An ultrastructural study of the thin loops of Henle has been made in the renal papilla of the rabbit. Animals in different states of water balance were used but no morphological difference was observed in the loops obtained from animals in different experimental groupings. The cytoplasm of the squamous cells lining the limbs was characterised by a paucity of organelles. Descending and ascending limbs were distinguishable. A distinct morphological difference was seen in the junctional regions of cell processes of the descending and ascending thin limbs of the loop. The ascending limb processes were joined by continuous tight junctions whereas the descending limb junctional regions invariably showed a space of at least 70 Å between adjacent processes. It is suggested that there may be a correlation between the structure of these junctional regions and the different permeability characteristics of the two limbs. The thin ascending limb must, on physiological evidence, be relatively impermeable with reference to the thin descending limb.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bernanke, D., and F. H. Epstein: Metabolism of the renal medulla. Amer. J. Physiol. 208, 541–545 (1965).
Bruns, R. R., and G. E. Palade: Studies on blood capillaries. II. Transport of ferritin molecules across the wall of muscle capillaries. J. Cell Biol. 37, 277–299 (1968).
Bulger, Ruth E., and B. F. Trump: Fine structure of the rat renal papilla. Amer. J. Anat. 118, 685–722 (1966).
Diamond, J. M., and J. McD. Tormey: Role of long extracellular channels in fluid transport across epithelia. Nature (Lond.) 210, 817–822 (1966).
Farquhar, M. G., and G. E. Palade: Junctional complexes in various epithelia. J. Cell Biol. 17, 375–412 (1963).
—: Cell junctions in amphibian skin. J. Cell Biol. 26, 263–291 (1965).
Florey, H. W.: The transport of materials across the capillary wall. Quart. J. exp. Physiol. 49, 117–128 (1964).
Goodford, P. J., F. R. Johnson, Z. Krasucki, and V. Daniel: The transport of sodium in smooth muscle cells. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 194, 77–78P (1968).
Gottschalk, C. W.: Micropuncture studies of tubular function in the mammalian kidney. Physiologist (Lond.) 4, 35–55 (1961).
Jamison, R. L., C. M. Bennett, and R. W. Berliner: Countercurrent multiplication by the loop of Henle. Amer. J. Physiol. 212, 357–366 (1967).
Johnson, F. R., and S. Jane Darnton: Ultrastructural observations on the renal papilla of the rabbit. Z. Zellforsch. 81, 390–406 (1967).
Karnovsky, M. J.: The ultrastructural basis of capillary permeability studied with peroxidase as a tracer. J. Cell Biol. 35, 213–236 (1967).
Kramer, K., P. Deetjen u. H. Brechtelsbauer: Gegenstromdiffusion des Sauerstoffs im Nierenmark. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 274, 63–64 (1961).
—, K. Thurau u. P. Deetjen: Hämodynamik des Nierenmarkes. I. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 270, 251–269 (1960).
Kuhn, W., u. K. Ryffel: Herstellung konzentrierter Lösungen aus verdünnten durch bloße Membranwirkung. Ein Modellversuch zur Funktion der Niere. Hoppe-Seylers Z. physiol. Chem. 276, 145–178 (1942).
Lapp, H., u. A. Nolte: Vergleichende elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am Mark der Rattenniere bei Harnkonzentrierung und Harnverdünnung. Frankfurt. Z. Path. 71, 617–633 (1962).
Lee, J. B., V. K. Vance, and G. F. Cahill Jr.: Metabolism of C14-labelled substrates by rabbit kidney cortex and medulla. Amer. J. Physiol. 203, 27–36 (1962).
Loewenstein, W. R., S. J. Socolar, S. Higashino, Y. Kanno, and N. Davidson: Intercellular communication: renal, urinary bladder, sensory and salivary gland cells. Science 149, 295–298 (1965).
Morard, J. C.: Etudes histochimiques sur le rôle des mucopolysaccharides acides de la médullaire rénale dans les processus de la concentration urinaire. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris), Sér. D 264, 2166–2169 (1967).
Mutr, A. R., and A. Peters: Quintuple-layered membrane junctions at terminal bars between endothelial cells. J. Cell Biol. 12, 443–448 (1962).
Novikoff, A. B.: The rat kidney: cytochemical and electron microscope studies. In: Biology of pyelonephritis, (ed. E. L. Quinn and E. Kass), p. 113–144. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 1960.
Osvaldo, Lydia, and H. Latta: The thin limbs of the loop of Henle. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 15, 144–168 (1966).
Porter, K. R., and J. Blum: A study in microtomy for electron microscopy. Anat. Rec. 117, 685–712 (1953).
Reese, R. S., and M. J. Karnovsky: Fine structural localization of a blood-brain barrier to exogenous peroxidase. J. Cell Biol. 34, 207–217 (1967).
Rhodin, J. A. G.: Electron microscopy of the kidney. Amer. J. Med. 24, 661–675 (1958a).
—: Anatomy of kidney tubules. Int. Rev. Cytol. 7, 485–534 (1958b).
—: Electron microscopy of the kidney. In: Renal disease (ed. D. A. K. Black). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Co. 1962.
—: Structure of the kidney. In: Diseases of the kidney (ed. M. B. Strauss and C. G. Welt). Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 1963.
Sabour, M. S., M. K. MacDonald, A. T. Lambie, and J. S. Robson: The electron microscopic appearance of the kidney in hydrated and dehydrated rats. Quart. J. exp. Physiol. 49, 162–170 (1964).
Stempak, J. G., and R. T. Ward: An improved staining method for electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 22, 697–701 (1964).
Ullrich, K. J., K. Kramer, and J. W. Boylan: Present knowledge of the countercurrent system in the mammalian kidney. Prog. cardiovasc. Dis. (1960–61) 3, 395–431 (1960).
Vanhegan, R. I.: A method for characterisation of acid mucopolysaccharides in histological sections of renal medullae from animals in various states of hydration. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 192, 16–18P (1967).
Windhager, E. E.: Electrophysiological study of renal papilla of golden hamsters. Amer. J. Physiol. 206, 694–700 (1964).
Zetterquist, H.: The ultrastructural organization of the columnar absorbing cells of mouse jejunum. Stockholm: Thesis: Karolinska Institute 1956.
Zimmermann, K. W.: Zur Morphologie der Epithelzellen der Säugetierniere. Arch. mikr. Anat. 78, 199–231 (1911).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The author wishes to thank Professor F. R. Johnson for his advice and assistance, and Mr. R. F. Birchenough, Mr. P. L. Hyam and Mr. J. Manston for valuable technical assistance.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Darnton, S.J. A possible correlation between ultrastructure and function in the thin descending and ascending limbs of the loop of Henle of rabbit kidney. Z. Zellforsch. 93, 516–524 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00338534
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00338534