Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Human Bladder

Abstract

Summary— An immunohistochemical profile of cells in the mucosa and lamina propria of adult human bladders is described. Urothelial cells were HLA‐DR‐ve, ACP + ve and ATPase‐ve. All lymphocytes in this layer were of the suppressor/cytotoxic T subgroup and dendritic cells with an identical phenotype to Langerhans cells were seen. In the lamina propria most lymphocytes were of the suppressor/cytotoxic type with some helper/inducer cells. An occasional natural killer cell and Langerhans cell was identified and large macrophage cells with a common phenotype to antigen presenting interdigitating (ID) cells were noted. Fibronectin staining was dense in the vicinity of basement membranes merging to form fine interconnecting latticework‐like structures elsewhere in the lamina propria.