Mesangial cell
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Mesangial cells are specialized cells around blood vessels in the kidneys.
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Anatomical Location
Mesangial cells are located among the glomerular capillaries within a renal corpuscle.
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Function
Glomerular capillaries consist of endothelial cells with large fenestrations, and are therefore very permeable ("leaky") for most solutes in blood plasma. Mesangial cells are thought to aid in the regulation of glomerular filtration, perhaps by contractile activity. They are also major contributors to the extracellular matrix in the glomeruli.
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References
Tortora GJ., & Grabowski SR., Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 10th Ed. John Wiley & Sons
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