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Signal transduction in a compliant short loop of Henle
Author(s) -
Layton Anita T.,
Pham Philip,
Ryu Hwayeon
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in biomedical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.741
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 2040-7947
pISSN - 2040-7939
DOI - 10.1002/cnm.1475
Subject(s) - loop of henle , tubuloglomerular feedback , transduction (biophysics) , macula densa , harmonics , oscillation (cell signaling) , signal (programming language) , physics , chemistry , biophysics , nephron , voltage , biology , computer science , endocrinology , biochemistry , renin–angiotensin system , quantum mechanics , renal function , blood pressure , programming language
SUMMARY To study the transformation of fluctuations in filtration rate into tubular fluid chloride concentration oscillations alongside the macula densa, we have developed a mathematical model for tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) signal transduction along the pars recta, the descending limb, and the thick ascending limb (TAL) of a short‐looped nephron. The model tubules are assumed to have compliant walls and, thus, a tubular radius that depends on the transmural pressure difference. Previously, it has been predicted that TGF transduction by the TAL is a generator of nonlinearities: if a sinusoidal oscillation is added to a constant TAL flow rate, then the time required for a fluid element to traverse the TAL is oscillatory in time but nonsinusoidal. The results from the new model simulations presented here predict that TGF transduction by the loop of Henle is also, in the same sense, a generator of nonlinearities. Thus, this model predicts that oscillations in tubular fluid alongside the macula densa will be nonsinusoidal and will exhibit harmonics of sinusoidal perturbations of pars recta flow. Model results also indicate that the loop acts as a low‐pass filter in the transduction of the TGF signal. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.