Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Protein filtration and secretion at human body fluid barriers

  • Heart, Circulation, Respiration and Blood; Environmental and Exercise Physiology
  • Published:
Pflügers Archiv Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The permeability properties of several bloodbody fluid barriers are evaluated by means of 1) barrier lines (protein concentration ratios versus hydrodynamic radii) and 2) two-dimensional protein maps. Under steady state equilibrium conditions the barrier is sufficiently characterized by a restriction parameter (serum/body fluid concentration ratio of an equivalent protein) and a selectivity coefficient (slope of the barrier line). It is possible to define an equivalent protein which depends upon the selectivity of the filtration process. Its serum/body fluid concentration ratio indicates the amount of serum proteins in “pure” filtrates. The steady state barrier line can be used to quantitate passively filtered and actively secreted protein portions. This approach is exemplified by the immunoglobulins of various body fluids, but should be applicable for any protein that fulfills defined requirements. The individual protein maps reflect the proportional contributions of serum filtration and local protein synthesis to the formation of a body fluid. The protein composition of serum filtrates depends primarily on the barrier selectivity irrespective of the total protein content. The selectivity of any filtration barrier is strongly influenced by the hydraulic conductivity of the barrier sites and the fluid dynamics of the secondary compartment. An attempt is made to formulate an universal filtration concept that is valid for all barriers from the highly selective kidney glomerulus to the poorly selective blood-CSF barrier.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
€32.70 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (France)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ackers, G. K.: Molecular sieve methods of analysis. In: The proteins, Vol. 1 (H. Neurath, R. L. Hill, C.-L. Boeder, eds.), pp. 2–92. New York: Academic Press 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Arturson, G., Granath, K.: Dextrans as test molecules in studies of the functional ultrastructure of biological membranes. Clin. Chim. Acta37, 309 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, H. St., Luft, J. H., Hampton, J. C.: Morphological classifications of vertebrate blood capillaries. Am. J. Physiol.196, 381–390 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Berggård, I.: Plasma proteins in normal human urine. See Manuel (1970)

  • Bradwell, A. R., Burnett, D., Williams, J. G.: A mechanism for protein movement from blood to amniotic fluid. J. Physiol.258, 33P-35P (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brenner, B. M., Baylis, C., Deen, W. M.: Transport of molecules across renal glomerular capillaries. Physiol. Rev.56, 502–534 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, D., Wood, S. M., Studd, J. W. W., Lewis, B. V., Bradwell, A. R.: A study of the relationship between maternal serum and amniotic fluid proteins in early and late pregnancy. Prot. Biol. Fluids24, 161–164 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, R. D., Joyner, W. L., Renkin, E. M.: Effects of histamine and some other substances on molecular selectivity of the capillary wall to plasma proteins and dextran. Microvasc. Res.7, 31–48 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, R. L. S., Deen, W. M., Robertson, C. R., Brenner, B. M.: Permselectivity of the glomerular capillary wall: III. Restricted transport of polyanions. Kidney Int.8, 212–218 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenbach, G. M., v. Liew, J. B., Boylan, J. B., Manz, N., Muir, P.: Effect of angiotensin on the filtration of protein in the rat kidney: A micropuncture study. Kidney Int.8, 80–87 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Evrin, P. E., Wibell, L.: The serum levels and urinary excretion ofβ 2-microglobulin in apparently healthy subjects. Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest.29, 69–74 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Farquhar, M. G.: The primary glomerular filtration barrierbasement membrane or epithelial slits? Kidney Int.8, 197–211 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Felgenhauer, K.: Vergleichende Disc-Elektrophorese von Serum und Liquor cerebrospinalis. Stuttgart: G. Thieme 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Felgenhauer, K.: Protein size and cerebrospinal fluid composition. Klin. Wochenschr.52, 1158–1164 (1974a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Felgenhauer, K.: Evaluation of molecular size by gel electrophoretic techniques. Hoppe-Seyler's Z. Physiol. Chem.355, 1281–1290 (1974b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Felgenhauer, K.: Analytic characterisation of complex protein mixtures by one- and two-dimensional gradient electrophoresis. J. Chromatogr.173, 299–311 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Felgenhauer, K., Hagedorn, D.: Two-dimensional separation of human body fluid proteins. Clin. Chim. Acta (in press, 1980)

  • Felgenhauer, K., Renner, E.: Hydrodynamic radii versus molecular weights in clearance studies of urine and cerebrospinal fluid. Ann. Clin. Biochem.14, 100–104 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Felgenhauer, K., Schliep, G., Rapic, N.: Evaluation of the blood CSF-barrier by protein gradients and the humoral immune response within the central nervous system. J. Neurol. Sci.30, 113–128 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Frick, E., Scheid-Seydel, L.: Untersuchungen mit J131-markiertem Transferrin zur Frage der Abstammung der Liquoreiweißkörper. Klin. Wochenschr.41, 589 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Garlick, D. G., Renkin, E. M.: Transport of large molecules from plasma to interstitial fluid and lymph in dogs. Am. J. Physiol.219, 1595–1605 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardwicke, J.: Glomerular filtration of macromolecules. Adv. Nephrol.2, 61–74 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardwicke, J., Cameron, J. S., Harrison, J. F., Hulme, B., Soothill, J. F.: Proteinuria, studied by clearances of individual macromolecules. See Manuel (1970)

  • Harrison, J. F., Blainey, J. D.: Low molecular weight proteinuria in chronic renal disease. Clin. Sci.33, 381–390 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Joachim, G. R., Cameron, J. St., Schwartz, M., Becker, E. L.: Selectivity of protein excretion in patients with the nephrotic syndrome. J. Clin. Invest.43, 2332–2346 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, A. M., Alper, Ch. A., Umansky, I.: Plasma proteins in human amniotic fluid. Prot. Biol. Fluids24, 157–160 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jørgensen, F.: Electron microscopic studies of normal glomerular basement membrane. Lab. Invest.17, 416–424 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kallskog, Ö., Lindbom, L. O., Ulfendahl, H. R., Wolgast, M.: Kinetics of the glomerular ultrafiltration in the rat kidney. An experimental study. Acta Physiol. Scand.95, 293–300 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Karnovsky, M. J., Ainsworth, St. K.: The structural basis of glomerular filtration. Adv. Nephrol.II, 35–60 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kefalides, N. A., Tomichek, E., Alper, R.: Selective cleavage of basement membrane proteins at the carboxyl peptide linkages of methionine and at the amino peptide linkages of cysteine residues. Prot. Biol. Fluids22, 349–356 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kushner, I., Somerville, J. A.: Permeability of human synovial membrane to plasma proteins. Arthritis Rheum.14, 560–570 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laterre, E. C., Heremans, J. F.: Proteins peculiar to normal urine and other secretions. See Manuel (1970)

  • Laurell, C.-B.: Electroimmunoassay. Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest.29 (Suppl. 124), 21–37 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurent, T. C.: The structure and function of the intercellular polysaccharides in connective tissue. In: Capillary permeability (C. Crone, N. A. Lassen, eds.), pp. 261–277. Copenhagen: Munksgaard 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Link, H.: Immunoglobulin G and low molecular weight proteins in human cerebrospinal fluid. Acta Neurol. Scand.43, Suppl. 28 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowry, O. H., Rosebrough, N. J., Farr, A. L., Randall, R. J.: Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J. Biol. Chem.193, 265–275 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Manuel, Y., Revillard, J. P., Betuel, H. (eds.). Proteins in normal and pathological urine. Basel: Karger 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Misra, R. P.: Glomerular basement membrane antigens of Masugi nephritis. Immunology25, 967–980 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura, R. M., Spiegelberg, H. L., Lee, S., Weigle, W. O.: Relationship between molecular size and intra- and extravascular distribution of protein antigens. J. Immunol.100, 376–383 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pappenheimer, J. R.: Passage of molecules through capillary walls. Physiol. Rev.33, 387–423 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, P. A., Evrin, P.-E., Berggård, I.: Differentiation of glomerular, tubular, and normal proteinuria: Determinations of urinary excretion ofβ 2-microglobulin, albumin, and total protein. J. Clin. Invest.48, 1189–1198 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Poortmans, J., Jeanloz, R. W.: Quantitative immunological determination of 12 plasma proteins excreted in human urine collected before and after exercise. J. Clin. Invest.47, 386–393 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Renkin, E. M.: Filtration, diffusion, and molecular sieving through porous cellulose membranes. J. Gen. Physiol.38, 225–243 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Renkin, E. M.: Transport of large molecules across capillary walls. Physiologist7, 13–28 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Renkin, E. M.: Multiple pathways of capillary permeability. Circ. Res.41, 735–743 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Renkin, E. M., Robinson, R. R.: Glomerular filtration. New Engl. J. Med.299, 785–792 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Renkin, E. M., Joyner, W. L., Sloop, C. H., Watson, P. D.: Influence of venous pressure on plasma-lymph transport in the dog's paw: Convective and dissipative mechanisms. Microvasc. Res.14, 191–204 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shabo, A. L., Kenyon, R. K., Franklin, R. M.: Electron microscopic localisation of a blood-tear barrier to tracer protein in the primate lacrimal gland. Lab. Invest.28, 185–193 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultze, H. E., Heremans, J. F.: Molecular biology of human proteins, Vol. I. Amsterdam-London-New York: Elsevier 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Westberg, N. G., Michael, A. F.: Human glomerular basement membrane. Preparation and composition. Biochemistry9, 3837–3846 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universitäts-Nervenklinik Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9, D-5000, Köln 41, Federal Republic of Germany

    K. Felgenhauer

Authors
  1. K. Felgenhauer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Felgenhauer, K. Protein filtration and secretion at human body fluid barriers. Pflugers Arch. 384, 9–17 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00589509

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00589509

Key words

Search

Navigation