Mesangial cell in immune system

Mesangial cells are specialized cells around blood vessels in the kidneys, at the mesangium. They are specialized smooth muscle cells that function to regulate blood flow through the capillaries, usually divided into two types, each having a very distinct function and location:

Extraglomerular mesangial cell

Extraglomerular mesangial cells (also known as Lacis cells, Goormaghtigh cells, or Polkissen cells) are light-staining cells in the kidney found outside the glomerulus, near the vascular pole and macula densa.

Lacis cells form the juxtaglomerular apparatus in combination with two other types of cells: the macula densa of the distal convoluted tubule and juxtaglomerular cells of the afferent arteriole. This apparatus controls blood pressure through the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system. The specific function of Lacis cells is not well understood, although it has been associated with the secretion of erythropoietin.

Intraglomerular mesangial cell

Renal corpuscle. The entire structure is the renal corpuscle. The blue structure (A) is the Bowman's capsule (2 and 3). The pink structure is the glomerulus with its capillaries. At the left, blood flows from the afferent areteriole (9), through the capillaries (10), and out the efferent arteriole (11). The mesangium is the pink structure inside the glomerulus between the capillaries (5a) and extending outside the glomerulus (5b).

Intraglomerular mesangial cells are specialized pericytes located among the glomerular capillaries within a renal corpuscle of a kidney. Mesangial cells are of monocyte or smooth muscle origin, typically covering 30% of glomerular capillaries. They are both vimentin and desmin positive. There are three primary functions of intraglomerular mesangial cells: filtration, structural support, and phagocytosis. Additionally, mesangial cells are able to monitor glucose levels via processes sent into the capillary lumen.