Characterization of a fibroblast cell from the urinary bladder wall.

For the first time we report on the growth, culture, and matrix production characteristics of a cell type isolated from the lamina propria of the urinary bladder wall. A fibroblastlike cell was identified as distinct from bladder detrusor smooth muscle cells and urothelium based on morphology, growth characteristics, and immunohistochemical staining. Characterization of extracellular matrix synthesis by this cell type using 35S-methionine metabolic labeling demonstrated that these cells are capable of secreting components of the surrounding connective tissue, including several fibrillar collagens, a basement membrane collagen, and fibronectin.