The bladder epithelium, the urothelium, harbors stem cells in the deepest layers that repopulate the impenetrable outermost layer, called umbrella cells. Constantly cycling and replenishing, old umbrella cells are shed then replaced by new ones to fill the gaps. In Bladder Pain Syndrome this process is disrupted, leading to drastic reduction in bladder barrier function. Studying this requires tissue constructs to better understand bladder damage and disease.
Impact
Our laboratory-engineered urothelium fully recapitulates the properties of the native bladder urothelium. To damage the model and then screen for factors that regenerate it can be done safely in a lab setting outside the patient. Our research will help inform next-generation therapies for Bladder Pain Syndrome.
reNEW research
In the Aragona Group, we are studying all aspects of the urothelium in human and mice; in stretched and voided, and in healthy and diseased bladders. Our human model is stratified, polarized, self-renewing and stretch-compliant. With it we are simulating how the urothelium regenerates in healthy conditions, how it expands and contracts during the urinary cycle, and how it reacts to damage.
Image description
Umbrella cells on the outer layer of our model urothelium in the act of being shed. Beneath you can see smaller umbrella cells that will fill the space.
Credits
Mike Magnussen, Postdoc, Aragona group, reNEW Copenhagen.
