ANTI-BACTERIAL DEFENSE MECHANISM OF THE URINARY BLADDER
AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN BLADDER EPITHELIUM AND E. COLI
1980 Volume 71 Issue 1 Pages 92-103
Details
1980 Volume 71 Issue 1 Pages 92-103
E. coli was inoculated into rat bladder. After several periods of free voiding, the bladder was observed with a transmission electron microscope. Further, a silicone tube was introduced to the bladder with bacterial suspension, and the effect of the foreign body on cystitis was observed.
As a first step, the bacteria were attached to the luminal membrane. Then, the luminal membrane became infolded to envelope the bacteria and to take them within the cytoplasm. The unit membrane surrounding the bacteria were destroyed later and some of these bacteria were found to be deformed or multiplicated within the cytoplasm. Finaly, the infected epithelial cells were collapsed and desquamated, which were washed out with bacteria. Within 24 hrs after bacterial inoculation, epithelium showed complete recovery forming normal three layers.
On the other hand, the epithelial cells of the bladder in which foreign body and bacteria were put, exhibited an earlier and severer infection which postpones as long as 48 hrs after inoculation.
This experiment may show one of the defense mechanism of the vesical epithelium to the E. coli infection. Further, foreign bodies in the bladder are thought to make this washing out phenomenon or epithelial regeneration imperfect.
