Anatomical relationship between kallikrein-containing tubules and the juxtaglomerular apparatus in the human kidney

Abstract

Current evidence suggests a functional and biochemical link between the renin and the kallikrein systems. The purpose of this work was to study the localization of kallikrein along the human nephron to elucidate whether there exists an anatomical base for such interrelation. Serial sections of human kidney tissue were stained by immunocytochemical methods with antisera against kallikrein. Kallikrein immunostaining was observed exclusively in segments of the distal nephron lying in the cortical labyrinths and forming arcades in its distal portion. Consistently the tubules containing kallikrein established a close anatomical relationship with the afferent arteriole of the juxtaglomerular apparatus providing an anatomical base for an interaction between the renin and kallikrein systems in the human kidney.