ISSN:
1433-8726
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary During bladder development, undifferentiated mesenchymal and epithelial cells undergo an orderly sequence of differentiation defined by the expression of smooth-muscle (α-actin, myosin, vinculin, desmin, vimentin, and laminin) and epithelial (cytokeratins 5, 7, 8, 14, 18 and 19) protein markers. This process requires mesenchymal-epithelial interactions with bladder epithelium (urothelium) necessary for the differentiation of bladder smooth muscle. Peptide growth factors such as keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and transforming growth factors (TGF) α and β are likely candidates as mediators of these mesenchymal-epithelial interactions. Transcripts for KGF, TGF α, and TGF β are regulated during bladder development and during smooth-muscle hypertrophy secondary to bladder-outlet obstruction. Finally, two experimental bladder models — (1) partial outlet obstruction and (2) regeneration of bladder smooth muscle into an acellular tissue matrix — are described in the context of mesenchymal-epithelial interactions in the bladder.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00184602
