Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection
06:05

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection

Published on: October 12, 2017

Urothelial protein expression in pediatric patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction

Ashley R Jackson1,2, Sudipti Gupta1,3, Macie Kercsmar1

  • 1Kidney and Urinary Tract Center, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.

Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
|July 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) shows increased urothelial proteins in urine and obstructed tissue. This suggests urothelial remodeling may protect the kidney in children with UPJO.

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Pediatric ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a primary cause of congenital obstructive uropathy.
  • Experimental models suggest urothelial remodeling in UPJO acts as a protective adaptation for kidney integrity.
  • This pilot study investigates urothelial protein expression in human UPJO cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of specific urothelial proteins in urine and resected tissue from children with UPJO.
  • To compare urothelial protein levels between children with UPJO and healthy controls.
  • To explore the localization of these proteins in obstructed urothelium.

Main Methods:

  • Urine samples from children with UPJO and controls were analyzed for urothelial proteins (KRT5, KRT14, KRT20, UPK2, UPK3A) using ELISA, normalized to creatinine.
  • Kidney urine was compared to bladder urine within subjects when available.
  • Immunofluorescence microscopy examined urothelial protein localization in resected kidney pelvises.

Main Results:

  • Urine from children with UPJO exhibited significantly higher levels of KRT14, KRT20, and UPK2 compared to controls.
  • Urothelial protein levels were comparable or higher in urine from the obstructed kidney versus bladder urine.
  • Immunofluorescence revealed specific urothelial cell types expressing KRT14, UPK, and KRT20, with nuclear localization of GRHL3 and PPARγ.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides evidence for elevated urinary urothelial proteins in pediatric UPJO.
  • The findings support the local expression of these proteins by obstructed urothelium in UPJO.
  • Urothelial remodeling is implicated in the protective response to UPJO.
Abstract

Keywords:
Congenital urinary tract obstructionKeratinObstructive uropathyUreteropelvic junction obstructionUroplakinUrothelium

More Related Videos

Expression of Transgenes in Native Bladder Urothelium Using Adenovirus-Mediated Transduction06:01

Expression of Transgenes in Native Bladder Urothelium Using Adenovirus-Mediated Transduction

Published on: October 6, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Ureters01:22

Ureters

The ureters are retroperitoneal tubes located on either side of the vertebral column. They are responsible for transporting urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder. These tubes have thick walls and are approximately 25-30 cm long. Their diameter is around 10 mm at the renal pelvis, gradually narrowing to 1 mm as the ureter obliquely enters the posterior bladder wall through the ureteric orifices. The shape of these orifices is slit-like, which helps to prevent urine backflow toward the...
Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:26

Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

Renal calculi, commonly termed kidney stones, are crystalline solid masses that form in the kidneys but can occur at any point within the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.The pathophysiology of renal stones involves several key factors: supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming constituents, changes in urine pH, a decrease in urine volume, and the presence of substances that promote or inhibit stone formation.Supersaturation of Urine: This is the...
Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies01:28

Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) StudiesKidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) studies are standard diagnostic imaging procedures used to assess the anatomy of the urinary system. They are commonly utilized for patients experiencing abdominal pain or urinary symptoms. By using a simple X-ray of the abdomen, KUB studies can reveal structural and pathological abnormalities within the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. These studies are particularly valuable in diagnosing kidney stones, urinary...
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters01:11

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters

The upper urinary system comprises two kidneys and two ureters, which are crucial in filtering blood and forming urine.KidneysLocation and Structure:The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs positioned behind the peritoneum on either side of the spine.Kidneys are between the 12th thoracic (T12) and the 3rd lumbar (L3) vertebrae.The position of the liver causes the right kidney to sit slightly lower than the left.Protective Layers:Each kidney is enveloped in a tough, fibrous membrane called the...
Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure01:26

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure

Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...