Urothelial Cells

Urothelial cells, the cells lining the surface of the urinary bladder, comprise of a unique cell type with high plasticity and diverse functions. They are the first line of bladder defense and serve as an interface between pathogens. Urothelial cells have several defense mechanisms to prevent adherence of pathogens and maintain impermeability to urinary solutes. Urothelial cells express both estrogen receptor-alpha and beta, epidermal growth factor receptor and fibroblast growth factor receptor. These receptors play a major role in the response of urothelial cells to injury and infection. The urothelial cells also release many cytokines and other immune system mediators. Cell culture models of normal urothelial cells are valuable for studying urothelial physiology and differentiation, for investigating the function of genetic and epigenetic changes in urothelial carcinoma and as controls in the evaluation of the tumor specificity of novel cancer drugs.