Urinary bladder urothelium: Molecular sensors of chemical/thermal/mechanical stimuli

The identification of functional receptors/ion channels in bladder urothelial cells and the involvement of these sensor molecules in the release of chemical mediators (nitric oxide, NO; ATP) suggest that urothelial cells exhibit specialized sensory and signaling properties. Such mechanisms could allow these cells to respond to their chemical and physical environments and to engage in reciprocal communication with neighboring urothelial cells as well as nerves in the bladder wall. These and other findings highlight the functional importance of the urinary bladder urothelium and suggest that perturbations in urothelial targets and/or cell-cell interactions may lead to a number of urinary tract abnormalities. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.