title: Uroplakins and their potential applications in urology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urothelium is a highly specialized type of epithelium covering the interior of the urinary tract. One of the structures responsible for its unique features are urothelial plaques formed from glycoprotein heteropolymers, the uroplakins. Four types of uroplakins are known - UPIa, UPIb, UPII, UPIII. Herein we review the current status of knowledge about uroplakins and discuss their potential clinical applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A PubMed search was conducted to find original and review papers about uroplakins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Uroplakins can be detected in tissue, urine and blood. The process of urothelial plaque formation is complex and its disturbances resulting in incorrect plaque formation might be responsible for some pathological states. Additionally, uroplakins might be associated with other pathological processes i.e. urothelial cancer or infections of the urinary tract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uroplakins as the end-product of urothelial cells have unique features and a complex structure. These glycoproteins can be involved in some diseases of the urinary tract and as such can be used as potential targets for intervention and markers of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Michal Andrzej
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Matuszewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Oncologic Urology, Wrocław Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tupikowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Dołowy
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, Wrocław Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Szymańska
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Oncologic Urology, Wrocław Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dembowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Oncologic Urology, Wrocław Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Romuald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zdrojowy
keywords: interstitial cystitis; urinary tract infection; uroplakin; urothelial cancer; urothelium; vesicoureteral reflux