Ds. Gardiner et Gbm. Lindop, THE GLOMERULAR PERIPOLAR CELL - AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY, APMIS. Acta pathologica, microbiologica et immunologica Scandinavica, 100(2), 1992, pp. 107-115
The peripolar cell is a recently described glomerular epithelial cell
which may be a new secretory component of the juxtaglomerular apparatu
s (JGA). The purposes of this study were to identify immunohistochemic
al markers specific for peripolar cells and to elucidate the compositi
on of their cytoplasmic granules. We examined tissue from normal human
and sheep kidneys with a variety of monoclonal antibodies and antiser
a. A minority of peripolar cells showed immunoreactivity for vimentin
but no other intermediate filament. Neuroendocrine markers were negati
ve. The granules of peripolar cells contain a variety of plasma protei
ns with the exception of IgM. It is likely that peripolar cells absorb
plasma proteins from the glomerular filtrate. The reason for this is
uncertain; however, their unique position at the vascular pole of norm
al kidneys suggests a specialized function.