kidney_upper_slim part of part of kidney loop of Henle epithelial cell kidney loop of Henle descending limb epithelial cell KUPO:0001053 Any kidney loop of Henle epithelial cell that is part of some descending limb of loop of Henle. https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_1001021 The kidney loop of Henle descending limb epithelial cells are highly specialized cells that play a crucial role in maintaining the body's salt and water balance. These cells line the descending limb of the loop of Henle, which is a portion of the renal tubule located in the kidneys, an organ responsible for filtering waste products, ions and extra water from the blood and converting them into urine. However, the descending limb epithelial cells are specifically involved in the countercurrent multiplication system, a mechanism to concentrate urine that involves both active and passive transport processes. These cells are notably permeable to water but relatively impermeable to solutes, a characteristic that dramatically influences the osmotic gradient in the renal medulla. As filtrate initially descends down the loop of Henle, water gets drawn out due to the increasing osmotic gradient, thereby concentrating the filtrate. Additionally, these epithelial cells are exceptionally thin walled, allowing water to freely diffuse across the membrane. Furthermore, the kidney loop of Henle descending limb epithelial cells are inextricably linked to the functioning of numerous diuretic drugs, which work by blocking the reabsorption of water and certain electrolytes in the kidneys, leading to increased urine production to rid the body of excess fluids. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) descending limb of loop of Henle