Aquaporin 3 Expression Loss in Urothelial Carcinoma: Association with Tumor Invasion Depth, but not with Grading?

We have previously provided molecular evidence of expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) in normal human urothelium and in UBC of various stages. Whereas former studies demonstrated that loss of AQP3 was associated with invasive and high-grade disease and worse progression-free and cancer-specific survival, this report investigates the expression of AQP3 in associated CIS. Contrary to what we had expected, all CIS specimens were shown to exhibit strong AQP3 expression, suggesting loss of AQP3 in UBC is primarily associated with the ability of tumor cells for invasion but not with grading as sign of dedifferentiation.

Continent Anal Urinary Diversion in Classic Bladder Exstrophy: 45-Year Experience.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term outcomes in patients with classic bladder exstrophy and continent anal urinary diversion (CAD) for continence, upper urinary tract status, secondary malignancies, and sexual function.

Patients And Methods: The medical records of 82 exstrophy patients having undergone CAD in our department between 1970 and 2015 were reviewed. Patients were invited for follow-up examinations and asked to complete validated questionnaires relating to sexual function.

Expression of aquaporin water channels in human urothelial carcinoma: correlation of AQP3 expression with tumour grade and stage.

Purpose: To study the expression, localization and potential clinical significance of aquaporin water channels both in well-established urothelial cancer (UC) cell lines and in human bladder carcinoma specimens of different stages and grades and to discuss the clinical relevance of the findings.

Methods: AQP transcript and protein expression by RT4, RT112 and T24 UC cell lines was investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence labelling. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess AQP protein expression in 94 UC specimens of various grades and stages.

Delayed-onset ureteral obstruction after endoscopic dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Deflux) injection for treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children: a case series.

We report 4 patients with upper urinary tract (UUT) obstruction requiring ureteric reimplantation at 1, 7, 28, and 63 months after dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Dx/HA) injection for vesicoureteric reflux. Histopathologic evaluation of ureteric segments revealed extensive foreign body formation in all cases. We conclude that UUT obstruction is a rare but serious complication after Dx/HA injection that can occur even years after surgery.

Loss of aquaporin 3 protein expression constitutes an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival: an immunohistochemical study on stage pT1 urothelial bladder cancer.

Background: Treatment of patients with stage pT1 urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) continues to be a challenge due to its unpredictable clinical course. Reliable molecular markers that help to determine appropriate individual treatment are still lacking. Loss of aquaporin (AQP) 3 protein expression has previously been shown in muscle-invasive UBC.

Aquaporin expression contributes to human transurothelial permeability in vitro and is modulated by NaCl.

It is generally considered that the bladder is impervious and stores urine in unmodified form on account of the barrier imposed by the highly-specialised uro-epithelial lining. However, recent evidence, including demonstration of aquaporin (AQP) expression by human urothelium, suggests that urothelium may be able to modify urine content. Here we have we applied functional assays to an in vitro-differentiated normal human urothelial cell culture system and examined both whether AQP expression was responsive to changes in osmolality, and the effects of blocking AQP channels on water and urea transport.

Persistent histological changes in the exstrophic bladder after primary closure-a cause for concern?

Purpose: We investigated bladder biopsies from patients with classic bladder exstrophy for the histological features and discuss the potential clinical significance of the findings.

Materials And Methods: Bladder tissues were collected from patients with bladder exstrophy between 2004 and 2011. These specimens were obtained at primary bladder closure (group 1, 29 patients), during secondary reconstructive procedures (group 2, 27) or during cystectomy for failed reconstruction (group 3, 15).

Expression and potential clinical significance of urothelial cytodifferentiation markers in the exstrophic bladder.

Purpose: We characterize the urothelium from patients with classic bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex for the expression of proteins associated with urothelial differentiation, and discuss a potential impact of urothelial phenotype on the structural and functional properties of the bladder template following bladder closure.

Materials And Methods: From 2005 to 2010 bladder biopsies from 32 infants with bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex obtained at primary bladder closure were collected. After histological assessment immunochemistry was used to investigate the expression of uroplakin IIIa, cytokeratin differentiation restricted antigens CK13 and CK20, and tight junction protein claudin 4.

15 years of continent urinary diversion and enterocystoplasty in children and adolescents: the Würzburg experience.

Objective: To assess the long-term results of continent urinary diversion (CUD) and enterocystoplasty (ECP) in children with irreversible lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD).

Patients And Methods: The study included 44 children with irreversible LUTD who had a CUD or ECP between 1992 and 2007. Patients were followed for the functional outcome of surgery with a focus on complications related to the reservoir, bowel, uretero-intestinal anastomosis and upper urinary tract.

Expression and localisation of aquaporin water channels in human urothelium in situ and in vitro.

Background: Urothelium is generally considered to be impermeable to water and constituents of urine. The possibility that human urothelium expresses aquaporin (AQP) water channels as the basis for water and solute transport has not previously been investigated.

Objective: To investigate the expression of AQP water channels by human urothelium in situ, in proliferating urothelial cell cultures and in differentiated tissue constructs.