Author/Editor		Veranič, Peter; Jezernik, Kristijan
Title		The cytokeratins of urinary bladder epithelial cells
Type		članek
Source		Asian journal of cell biology
Vol. and No.		Letnik 1, št. 1
Publication year		2006
Volume		str. 1-8
Language		eng
Abstract		Abstract: Urothelium is a stratified transitional epithelium covering the luminal side of urinary bladder. The superficial urothelial cells have an amazing ability to change their diameter in order to accommodate to alternating volume of the urine in bladder. A dense cytokeratin network was found just below the apical membrane most likely to support the cells during stretching. A special type of vesicles (fusiform vesicles) represent the intracellular pool of apical membrane which can enlarge the apical surface when required. The trajectorial organisation of the cytokeratin network enables transport of vesicles through this network which still retains its mechanical supportive function. Formation of this cytokeratin network in superficial urothelial cells can be followed during embryonic development or through regeneration after urothelial destruction with cyclophosphamide. In healthy urothelium each layer of cells express its own profile of cytokeratins that can be used as markers of differentiation. This profile can be changed during neoplastic transformation of urothelial cells. Thus, the detection of certain cytokeratins is an important diagnostic tool for tracing tumour cells.
Descriptors		BLADDER UROTHELIUM KERATIN CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE MICE