A major function of the kidney is to collaborate with the respiratory system to maintain
systemic acid-base status within limits compatible with normal cell and organ function. It
achieves this by regulating the excretion and recovery of bicarbonate (mainly in the proximal
tubule) and the secretion of buffered protons (mainly in the distal tubule and collecting duct).
How proximal tubular cells and distal professional proton transporting (intercalated) cells
sense and respond to changes in pH, bicarbonate, and CO 2 status is a question that has …