<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Background. Uroplakins are differentiation-related membrane proteins of urothelium. We compared uroplakin expression and ultrastructural localization in human normal urothelium, papilloma and papillary carcinoma. Because of high recurrence rate of these tumours, treated by transurethral resection, we investigated urothelial tumour, resection border and uninvolved urothelium. Patients and methods. Urinary bladder samples were obtained from tumour free control subjects and patients with papilloma and papillary carcinoma. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron labelling of uroplakins were performed. Results. In normal human urothelium with continuous uroplakin-positive superficial cell layer uroplakins were localized to flattened mature fusiform vesicles and apical plasma membrane of umbrella cells. Diverse uroplakin expression was found in papilloma and papillary carcinoma. Three aberrant differentiation stages of urothelial cells, not found in normal urothelium, were recognized in tumours. Diverse uroplakin expression and aberrant differentiation were occasionally found in resection border and in uninvolved urothelium. Conclusions. We demonstrated here that uroplakin expression and localization in urothelial tumours is altered when compared to normal urothelium. In patients with papilloma and papillary carcinoma immunolabelling of uroplakins at ultrastructural level shows aberrant urothelial differentiation. It is possible that aberrant differentiation stages of urothelial cells in resection border and in uninvolved urothelium contribute to high recurrence rate.</abstract>

Background. Uroplakins are differentiation-related membrane proteins of urothelium. We compared uroplakin expression and ultrastructural localization in human normal urothelium, papilloma and papillary carcinoma. Because of high recurrence rate of these tumours, treated by transurethral resection, we investigated urothelial tumour, resection border and uninvolved urothelium. Patients and methods. Urinary bladder samples were obtained from tumour free control subjects and patients with papilloma and papillary carcinoma. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron labelling of uroplakins were performed. Results. In normal human urothelium with continuous uroplakin-positive superficial cell layer uroplakins were localized to flattened mature fusiform vesicles and apical plasma membrane of umbrella cells. Diverse uroplakin expression was found in papilloma and papillary carcinoma. Three aberrant differentiation stages of urothelial cells, not found in normal urothelium, were recognized in tumours. Diverse uroplakin expression and aberrant differentiation were occasionally found in resection border and in uninvolved urothelium. Conclusions. We demonstrated here that uroplakin expression and localization in urothelial tumours is altered when compared to normal urothelium. In patients with papilloma and papillary carcinoma immunolabelling of uroplakins at ultrastructural level shows aberrant urothelial differentiation. It is possible that aberrant differentiation stages of urothelial cells in resection border and in uninvolved urothelium contribute to high recurrence rate.

Heterogeneity of uroplakin localization in human normal urothelium, papilloma and papillary carcinoma

Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Radiology and Oncology

Background. Uroplakins are differentiation-related membrane proteins of urothelium. We compared uroplakin expression and ultrastructural localization in human...

Heterogeneity of uroplakin localization in human normal urothelium, papilloma and papillary carcinoma

Published Online: Oct 08, 2013

Page range: 338 - 345

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2013-0052

Keywords
human urothelium, papilloma, papillary carcinoma, uroplakins, immunoelectron microscopy, immunohistochemistry

This content is open access.

Heterogeneity of uroplakin localization in human normal urothelium, papilloma and papillary carcinoma

Published Online: Oct 08, 2013

Page range: 338 - 345

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2013-0052

Keywordshuman urothelium, papilloma, papillary carcinoma, uroplakins, immunoelectron microscopy, immunohistochemistry

This content is open access.

Keywords
human urothelium, papilloma, papillary carcinoma, uroplakins, immunoelectron microscopy, immunohistochemistry