Connecting tubule glomerular feedback mediates acute tubuloglomerular feedback resetting

Abstract

Tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) and connecting tubule glomerular feedback (CTGF) are mechanisms that control afferent arteriole (Af-Art) tone. TGF, initiated by increased NaCl at the macula densa, causes Af-Art constriction. Prolonged activation of TGF leads to an attenuation or “resetting” of its constrictor effect. The mechanisms of TGF resetting remain incompletely understood. CTGF is initiated by increased NaCl in the connecting tubule and Na+ entry via epithelial sodium channels (ENaC). Contrary to TGF, CTGF dilates the Af-Art. Here, we hypothesize that CTGF, in part, mediates TGF resetting. We performed micropuncture of individual rat nephrons while measuring stop-flow pressure (PSF), an index of glomerular filtration pressure and Af-Art tone. Increases in Af-Art tone cause PSF to decrease. TGF responses, measured as the decrease in PSF induced by switching late proximal tubule perfusion from 5 to 40 nl/min, were elicited before and after a 30-min period of sustained perfusion of the late proximal tubule at a rate of 40 nl/min designed to induce TGF resetting. TGF responses were 7.3 ± 0.3 and 4.9 ± 0.2 mmHg before and after resetting was induced ( P < 0.001, n = 6). When CTGF was inhibited with the ENaC blocker benzamil (1 μM), TGF responses were 9.5 ± 0.3 and 8.8 ± 0.6 mmHg (NS, n = 6), thus resetting was abolished. In the presence of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide (10 mM), TGF responses were 8.8 ± 0.6 and 3.3 ± 0.4 mmHg before and after resetting ( P < 0.001, n = 6). With both acetazolamide and benzamil, TGF responses were 10.4 ± 0.2 and 8.4 ± 0.5 mmHg ( P < 0.01, n = 6), thus resetting was attenuated. We conclude that CTGF, in part, mediates acutely induced TGF resetting.