urothelial cell bladder urothelial cell NCIT:C32210 A urothelial cell that is part of the urothelium of the urinary bladder. bladder transitional cell Bladder urothelial cells form the urothelium in the bladder - a specific type of epithelial tissue that constitutes the inner lining of the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract including the renal pelvis, ureters and urethra. These unique cells are specialized to withstand the highly variable and sometimes harsh conditions present in the urinary system. Their key function is maintaining the barrier integrity of the urinary tract even when exposed to high volumes of urine and its solutes, and they play a crucial role in protecting underlying tissues from damage and infection. The bladder urothelial cells exhibit a remarkable spectrum of phenotypic versatility and have an extraordinary capacity to stretch and retract based on the degree of bladder filling and emptying. In their relaxed state, these cells appear large and cuboidal, but upon stretching, they become thinner and exhibit a squamous cell-like appearance. This distinctive feature enables them to adjust to the changes in the urinary bladder volume while remaining impermeable to urinary solutes, thereby preventing a potential toxicity to the bladder wall and infiltration into the bloodstream. Apart from their barrier function, bladder urothelial cells also express a number of sensor molecules or respond to thermal, mechanical and chemical stimuli and can release signaling molecules, thereby playing a key role in sensory mechanisms that communicate vital information about the bladder's mechanical state to the nervous system. This communication helps regulate the micturition cycle and maintain urinary continence. Recent studies have also indicated that these cells may play a role in immune responses, highlighting their importance in bladder physiology. Altered proliferation and differentiation of bladder urothelial cells are implicated in various diseases and conditions such as bladder cancer, interstitial cystitis, and urinary tract infections. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) transitional epithelial cell of urinary bladder https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_1001428 KUPO:0001121