Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Mediates Migration in Cultured Human Control and Exstrophy Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells

Our results suggest that there are distinct differences in bladder smooth muscle cell function between control and exstrophy cases which persist in culture. Although resting intracellular calcium concentration was higher in control cells, proliferation rates were similar in both cell types, indicating that lower intracellular calcium concentration did not impact growth potential. In contrast, enhanced migration was observed in exstrophy cells, possibly due to excess transforming growth factor-β1 signaling, but seemingly independent of increases in intracellular calcium concentration.