MECHANISMS OF DISEASE - REGULATION OF CELL-VOLUME IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

Maintenance of a constant volume in the face of extracellular and intracellular osmotic perturbations is a critical problem faced by all cells. Most cells respond to swelling or shrinkage by activating specific metabolic or membrane-transport processes that return cell volume to its normal resting state. These processes are essential for the normal function and survival of cells. This article will outline the cellular and molecular events underlying cell-volume homeostasis and discuss their relevance to medical practice. Fundamentals of Cell-Volume Regulation Meeting Osmotic Challenges Water is in thermodynamic equilibrium across the plasma membrane. In other words, the osmotic concentrations of cytoplasmic. © 1995, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.