Biological complexity: kidney filtration barely understood (Introduction)

by David Turell , Friday, October 16, 2020, 14:42 (1282 days ago) @ David Turell

Finding another small step in the process:

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/370/6514/305.1?utm_campaign=twis_sci_2020-10-15

"When the kidneys filter the blood through structures called glomeruli, circulating proteins such as albumin are reabsorbed to limit proteinuria (protein in the urine) and prevent damage to kidney cells. Gualdani et al. found that mechanosensing induced by fluid flow through the kidneys activated the cation channel TRPV4 to promote the endocytosis of albumin by kidney cells. Experimental manipulations that impair glomerular filtration exacerbated proteinuria in mice lacking TRPV4. Thus, defects in TRPV4-mediated endocytosis may underlie proteinuria, a symptom of many kidney diseases."

Comment: The kidneys are constantly at work maintaining fluid and mineral balance in the body. We still hardly understand it. This is one new small step. Thre is no way to deny design when studying this.