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Updated: May 7, 2026

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Minimally Invasive Establishment of Murine Orthotopic Bladder Xenografts
Published on: February 11, 2014
Use of donor bladder tissues for in vitro research
Mary Garthwaite1, Jennifer Hinley, William Cross
1Jack Birch Unit of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK; Pyrah Department of Urology, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK; NHS Blood and Transplant, UK.
BJU International
|September 24, 2013
Summary
Deceased heart-beating (DHB) donors provide viable bladder urothelial cells for research, unlike non-heart beating (DNHB) donors whose tissue shows significant damage. DHB donor cells can be cultured, but show limited growth and early senescence.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human bladder tissue is crucial for research into bladder diseases and tissue engineering.
- Current tissue sources from surgical patients are often insufficient for research needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the suitability of deceased non-heart beating (DNHB) and deceased heart beating (DHB) donors as sources of viable human bladder tissue.
- To identify optimal sources for urothelial cell culture for biomedical research and regenerative strategies.
Main Methods:
- Bladder tissue was retrieved from two DNHB and four DHB donors.
- Histological analysis was performed to assess tissue viability.
- Urothelial cells were cultured to evaluate their growth and barrier function.
Main Results:
- DNHB donor bladder tissue showed significant urothelial damage and necrosis, with no viable cells for culture.
- DHB donor bladder tissue had intact urothelium with some damage; viable urothelial cells were cultured.
- DHB-derived cells exhibited slow growth, limited barrier formation, and early senescence.
Conclusions:
- DHB donor bladders are a viable source for establishing urothelial cell cultures for research.
- DNHB donor tissue is inadequate for urothelial cell culture due to rapid post-mortem degradation.
- Barriers exist in obtaining consent for using retrieved donor tissues for research.

