The glomerular peripolar cell

Abstract

The PPC is a distinctive granulated epithelial cell at the vascular pole of the glomerulus. It is present in a wide range of animal species. It is especially prominent in sheep, particularly the newborn lamb. To date, it has been shown that its granules contain albumin, immunoglobulins, neuron-specific enolase and transthyretin. It does not appear to contain renin. The function of the PPC awaits clarification. It has been postulated that it may play a role in the synthesis and secretion of factors involved in modulating renal tubular function.