Urothelial Cells
Urothelial Cells - Related Videos
03:32
Patient-derived Tumor Xenografting: A Technique to Generate Experimental Mouse Model for Evaluating Urothelial Cell Carcinoma
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2023
This video describes the procedure to generate an experimental xenograft murine model, which can be used for studying urothelial cell carcinoma progression.
05:35
Ex Vivo Analysis of Mechanically Activated Ca2+ Transients in Urothelial Cells
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2022
This protocol describes a methodology to assess the function of mechanically activated ion channels in native urothelial cells using the fluorescent Ca2+ sensor GCaMP5G.
03:56
Delivery of DNA Plasmids into Urothelium of Mouse Bladder: An Electroporation-based Procedure to Efficiently Deliver DNA Plasmids into Urothelial Cells of Murine Bladder to Generate Genetically Engineered Models
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2023
This video demonstrates the delivery of DNA plasmid into the urothelium of the mouse bladder using a combination of urethral catheterization and electroporation techniques. The described procedure allows the generation of mouse bladder cancer models.
09:16
Ex Vivo Organoid Model of Adenovirus-Cre Mediated Gene Deletions in Mouse Urothelial Cells
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Cited by 2 •
2022
This protocol describes the process of the generation and characterization of mouse urothelial organoids harboring deletions in genes of interest. The methods include harvesting mouse urothelial cells, ex vivo transduction with adenovirus driving Cre expression with a CMV promoter, and in vitro as well as in vivo characterization.
09:17
In Vivo Luminal Measurement of Distension-Evoked Urothelial ATP Release in Rodents
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Cited by 1 •
2022
This protocol describes the procedure for measuring ATP concentrations in the lumen of the bladder in an anesthetized rodent.
FAQs
The multilayered arrangement distributes distinct protective roles across the lining. Superficial umbrella cells provide the deformable interface with urine, whereas tight junctions and uroplakins reinforce the apical surface. Considering these features together helps explain how urothelial cells can accommodate changing bladder volume while maintaining a controlled separation between urinary contents and underlying tissues.
Umbrella cells are specialized to expand as the bladder fills, allowing the surface to remain continuous during changes in volume. Their ability to deform works together with apical tight junctions and uroplakins, which help preserve low permeability. This coordinated structure is important because stretching must occur without exposing underlying tissues to urinary contents.
Tight junctions and uroplakins strengthen the apical surface of the urothelium and help limit movement across it. This restriction reduces exposure of underlying tissues to water, ions, and potentially toxic solutes in urine. Their combined contribution makes the apical boundary a central feature when researchers assess barrier integrity and urinary tract physiology.
Beyond forming a physical boundary, urothelial cells can sense urinary tract irritation, infection, and injury and participate in signaling responses. These activities connect the epithelial lining with changes occurring in its local environment. Studying such responses helps clarify how the urinary tract reacts when its barrier is challenged and how cellular behavior may relate to repair.
A useful study can focus on three connected features: multilayered organization, apical barrier properties, and cellular responses to irritation, infection, or injury. Examining these areas provides complementary information rather than treating the lining as a passive surface. Together, they support analysis of bladder physiology, urinary tract disease, and tissue repair within a biological context.
Research on urothelial cells links cellular structure and function with several urinary tract conditions. Barrier studies address how urinary contents are separated from underlying tissues, while response studies examine signaling during infection, irritation, or injury. These findings can contribute to research on bladder physiology, urinary tract disease, cancer, and the processes involved in tissue repair.