An update of the interstitial cell compartment in the normal human bladder
Kamiel A J Kuijpers1, John P F A Heesakkers1, Theo G M Hafmans2
1Department of Urology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 267 Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Insights
N-cadherin is a potential marker for identifying interstitial cells in the human bladder, which may be involved in overactive bladder conditions. This finding helps differentiate these crucial bladder cells.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Cell Biology
- Histology
Background:
- Interstitial cells, or myofibroblasts, are implicated in overactive bladder pathogenesis.
- A specific phenotypic marker for these bladder interstitial cells is currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate N-cadherin as a potential discriminatory marker for interstitial cells in the human bladder.
- To characterize N-cadherin expressing cells within bladder tissue.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of bladder biopsies (n=16) from patients undergoing cystectomy.
- Immunohistochemical staining for N-cadherin, PGP9.5, smoothelin, vimentin, and C-kit.
- Correlation of N-cadherin expression with bladder histology and myofibroblast ultrastructure.
Main Results:
- N-cadherin+/vimentin+ cells found in lamina propria and detrusor, associated with neurons.
- These N-cadherin+/vimentin+ cells resemble ultrastructurally defined myofibroblasts.
- A distinct population of N-cadherin+ cells co-localizing with C-kit was also identified.
Conclusions:
- N-cadherin serves as a discriminatory marker for interstitial cells in the human bladder.
- The bladder's interstitial compartment contains mesenchymal cells expressing N-cadherin, vimentin, and C-kit.
Aims:
Interstitial cells, also called myofibroblasts, most probably play a major role in the pathogenesis of the overactive bladder. However, no specific phenotypic marker has been identified. We investigated whether N-cadherin could play a role as a discriminatory marker for interstitial cells in the human bladder.
Methods:
Bladder biopsies (n = 16) were collected from macroscopically nonpathological locations during cystectomy which was performed because of bladder cancer. Tissue was analyzed for expression of N-cadherin. N-cadherin+ cells were phenotyped using antibodies against PGP9.5, smoothelin, vimentin, and C-kit. Findings were related to bladder tissue histology and ultrastructure of myofibroblastic cells.
Results:
N-cadherin+/vimentin+ cells with branched cell bodies were found in the lamina propria and detrusor layer. They were closely associated with neurons and showed no colocalization of PGP9.5 or smoothelin. A second type of N-cadherin+ cells was found at the boundary of detrusor bundles and in the lamina propria. These cells colocalization C-kit. We assumed that N-cadherin+/vimentin+ cells are similar to the ultrastructurally defined myofibroblasts.
Conclusions:
N-cadherin can play a role as a discriminatory marker for interstitial cells in the human bladder, as the interstitial compartment of the human bladder houses a population of cells from mesenchymal origin, immunopositive for N-cadherin, vimentin, and C-kit.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Urinary Bladder
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
01:19Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra
01:22Physiology of the Genitourinary System II: Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion
01:20Physiology of the Genitourinary System III: Urine Concentration and Dilution
01:24Physiology of Urine Formation
Glomerular Filtration
The first stage in urine formation is glomerular filtration. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, the functional units of filtration, with a...
01:26Reabsorption and Secretion in the DCT and Collecting Duct
The distal...