Immunohistochemical analysis of the human bladder.

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.