Histomorphometry and cell kinetics of normal human bladder mucosa in vitro

In this study, we have quantified the morphologic and kinetic parameters of explant cultured normal adult human urinary bladder mucosa. Quantitative parameters studied were urothelial height, cell density, labelling index and mitotic index. For these studies, urinary bladders from seven adults with no previous history of urologic disease were obtained at autopsy. Mucosal explants were maintained in rocking culture on Gelfoam rafts for up to 33 days using supplemented CMRL 1066 medium. Prior to sampling, cultures were treated with tritiated thymidine and colchicine to investigate tissue kinetics. Data was based on histologic autoradiograms. During culture, urothelial cells retained normal polarity. During the first week of culture, urothelial height increased and cell density decreased. DNA synthesis and mitotic activity occurred primarily among basal cells. DNA synthesis was first noted on day 2 of culture; mitotic activity began after 3 days of culture. Morphologically, human urothelium was well maintained; DNA synthesis and mitotic activity was variable but continued throughout culture.