Extraglomerular mesangial cells (also known as Lacis cells, Goormaghtigh 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. [1]
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