Filtration and Structure
Intraglomerular mesangial cells provide structural support for and regulate blood flow of the glomerular capillaries by their contractile activity. The initiation of contraction of mesangial cells is similar to that of smooth muscle. Contraction of mesangial cells is coupled with contraction of the basement membrane of the endothelium of glomerular capillaries. This causes a decrease in surface area of the basement membrane and thus a decreased glomerular filtration rate.
Intraglomerular mesangial cells are also major contributors to the extracellular matrix which contains fibronectin, type IV collagen, perlecan, and laminin.
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