Modeling of regulatory volume decrease in mesangial cells

An electromechanical model, combining stretch-activated ion channels and mechanical function of mesangial cell membrane, was formulated to approach and analyze hypotonically-induced swelling in isolated kidney mesangial cells. Simulation results showed that the osmotic gradient was rapidly nullified by solute efflux and water dilution within 15 seconds, followed by a negative overshooting that gradually returned to the baseline. It is suggested that the reversed osmotic gradient may be partially responsible for volume shrinkage after initial swelling in mesangial cells