[In vitro three-dimensional reconstruction of human bladder mucosa].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to apply the in vitro keratinocyte culture techniques and the tissue engineering principles to human urothelium, to reconstruct an in vitro three-dimensional human bladder mucosa, suitable for grafting.


METHODS
Biopsy specimens of human bladder mucosa were obtained from patients undergoing suprapubic prostatectomy, in vitro cultured and finally, an immunohistochemical study was made.


RESULTS
A three-dimensional in vitro tissue was obtained, composed of a bio-artificial submucosa (fibrin gel and fibroblast) where the uroepithelial cells were seeding. We used a biodegradable polyglycolic acid mesh to facilitate the tissue manipulation and implantation. An immature epithelium was obtained with a weak immunostaining to cytokeratins. The immunohistochemical study could not demonstrate the development of basement membrane.


CONCLUSIONS
In vitro keratinocyte culture techniques could be applied to other epithelial tissues like the urothelium. We obtained a three-dimensional in vitro tissue suitable for grafting in a relatively short time, which needs the matrix interactions in order to mature.
de Diego Rodríguez
E
E
Servicio de Urología, Hospital Comarcal de Laredo, Cantabria.
Roca Edreira
A
A
Villanueva Peña
A
A
Meana Infiesta
A
A
Gómez Llames
S
S
Martín García
B
B
Gómez Ortega
J Ma
JM
D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000033:anatomy & histology*