part of part of has part capable of epithelial cell ciliated epithelial cell epithelial cell of distal tubule juxtaglomerular complex cell macula densa epithelial cell https://cdn.humanatlas.io/digital-objects/2d-ftu/kidney-nephron/v1.2/assets/2d-ftu-kidney-nephron.png https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_1000850 An epithelial cell that is part of the macula densa, characterized by a tightly packed arrangement, apically positioned nuclei, and prominent primary cilia, creating a distinctive 'dense spot' appearance under microscopy. It is involved in regulating renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and renin release. macula densa cell KUPO:0001057 https://cdn.humanatlas.io/digital-objects/2d-ftu/kidney-renal-corpuscle/v1.2/assets/2d-ftu-kidney-renal-corpuscle.png Macula densa epithelial cells, as part of the complex nephron structure, play a crucial role in kidney function. These cells, which make up the macula densa, help regulate blood pressure and the filtration rate of the glomerulus by sensing sodium chloride amounts in the kidney tubules. Found where the thick ascending limb of the Loop of Henle touches the afferent arteriole, macula densa epithelial cells are positioned in an optimal location to monitor and respond to changes in the filtrate composition. These cells maintain intraglomerular homeostasis. When the sodium chloride concentration is high, macula densa cells respond by secreting adenosine and vasoconstricting the afferent arteriole to decrease the glomerular filtration rate. Conversely, if the sodium chloride concentration in the filtrate is low, the production and release of nitric oxide cause vasodilation to enhance the glomerular filtration rate. Macula densa epithelial cells also have a role in tubuloglomerular feedback mechanisms, an essential autoregulatory renal response. They send feedback to the glomerular mesangial cells, allowing constriction or relaxation of the afferent arteriole as needed depending on the content of the filtrate. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) regulation of glomerular filtration non-motile cilium regulation of renin secretion into blood stream Homo sapiens macula densa