Regulation of GFR uses feedback information from the distal tubule

A remarkable anatomical feature of the nephron is that where its renal tubule returns to the cortex and becomes the distal convoluted tubule, it makes contact with the afferent and efferent arterioles of its glomerulus. At this location the cells of the tubule are modified to form a structure called the macula densa (see Figure 51.13), and the arteriole cells are also modified and are called juxtaglomerular cells. The macula densa cells sense the concentration of NaCl in the fluid entering the distal convoluted tubule. If GFR is high, flow through the loop of Henle is high and the cells of the thick ascending limb cannot reabsorb all of the NaCl passing through it. If GFR is low, flow through the loop of Henle is slower and the cells of the thick ascending limb can reabsorb more of the NaCl. If the NaCl level in the distal convoluted tubule drops too low, the macula densa cells signal the juxtaglomerular cells to release renin and trigger the RAAS response. Thus the concentration of NaCl in the fluid passing over the macula densa is a function of GFR and is information that enables fine control of the RAAS system.