Cellular signaling in the bladder

Abstract

Embryologically, the urinary bladder is formed from endodermally derived epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells from the urogenital sinus and allantois. Experimentally, we have shown that bladder mesenchyme differentiates into bladder smooth muscle via an unknown signaling mechanism that originates from the urothelium. It is hypothesized that this signaling between the cellular types, occurs via growth factors. Evidence supporting this hypothesis is that a number of known growth factors, such as TGF beta 2 and 3, KGF and TGF alpha, as well as their receptors are regulated as a function of bladder development and are also modulated during experimental bladder outlet obstruction. Furthermore, growth factors most likely affect extracellular matrix degradative proteins which play a role in bladder remodeling during development, as well as in partial outlet obstruction. There is certainly impressive cellular communication that occurs during development and also occurs postnatally; such as during bladder injury. We have recently shown that KGF is directly responsible for the proliferation of urothelium during bladder injury. This normally quiescent cell, which in humans turns over once every six months to a year when injured, has the incredible ability to immediately proliferate covering the exposed areas of bladder muscle and submucosa. This proliferation is due to the direct effects of KGF, a classic paracrine growth factor which is secreted by the stromal compartment of the bladder and acts directly on the urothelium which harbors the receptor. The bladder also has an uncanny ability to regenerate. In a model to study the basic science behind bladder regeneration, a partial cystectomy was performed and an acellular tissue matrix devoid of all cellular elements was sutured to the defect. Within four days, the urothelium completely covered the acellular matrix, and within two weeks native smooth muscle was seen streaming into the acellular matrix in association with a new epithelium. It is hypothesized that cellular interactions between the epithelium and the mesenchyme, as we have shown in bladder differentiation, are encouraging the new growth of smooth muscle. For the bladder to be a safe and effective storage chamber the ideal cellular lining should be urothelium. Cells from the gastrointestinal are not optimal for this purpose since they either secrete or absorb electrolytes. We believe that the cellular interactions that occur between the urothelium and the foreign intestinal stroma will in time change the phenotype of the urothelium. Newer strategies for bladder replacement which take into account cellular signaling are critical for our young patients with neurogenic bladder disorders.

Differential Expression of Cell Cycle Regulators in Phenotypic Variants of Transgenically Induced Bladder Tumors: Implications for Tumor Behavior

“…The expression of early G 1 phase cyclin-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK2 and the lack of expression of late G 1 and S phase regulators such as CDK1, cyclin E, and cyclin A (Fig. 3A and B) confirm the quiescent nature of the urothelium and also explain at the molecular level the readiness of the urothelium to undergo renewal when provided with sufficient growth signals as would occur during wound healing (43).…”

“…The lysates (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45) Ag of the total protein) were resolved by 7.5%, 10%, or 15% SDS-PAGE and transferred onto nitrocellulose membranes. After the membranes were reversibly stained with 0.1% Ponceau Red solution, they were blocked with 3% nonfat dry milk dissolved in TBST solution (10 mmol/L Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 100 mmol/L NaCl, and 0.1% Tween 20) and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with the primary antibodies in TBST with 1% nonfat dry milk [the antibodies were diluted 1:100, except for p53, p53 Ser 15 -P, MDM2 and CDK4 (1:200); cyclin D1, CDK1, cyclin A, and cyclin E (1:500); and Erk1,2 (1:5000)].…”

Organ-specific matrix self-assembled by mesenchymal cells improves the normal urothelial differentiation in vitro

“…The results obtained with BMC matrix confirmed the importance of epithelium-mesenchymal interactions for the normal maturation of urothelium in vitro. Further works are required to identify the presence of growth factors, such as sonic hedgehog, keratinocyte growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein 4 [28], involved in the induction of urothelial differentiation onto the VM integrating BMC's matrix. But in a surprising way, the peptide growth factors potentially released by the BMC included within the matrix produced by the 1:1 mix mesenchymal population, failed to promote the vertical development of BUC and therefore the urothelium maturation.…”

Alterations of Urine TGF-β1 and bFGF following Bladder Outlet Obstruction: A Predictor for Detrusor Contractibility?

“…In previous studies, changes of mRNA encoding TGF-␤ 1 in detrusor tissue after BOO have been reported in various experimental animal models [15,16] . Chul Kim et al [14] and Monga et al [9] further showed that urine TGF-␤ 1 was associated with BOO in human and rat models.…”