Uncovering the Molecular Cause of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

In a mouse model, susceptibility to recurrent infection was associated with epigenetic changes in stem-cell derived urothelia distinct from those in resistant mice.

Although one of the strongest predictors of urinary tract infection (UTI) recurrence is a history of prior UTI, the biological reasons remain unclear. During infection with uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), bacteria adhere to and then invade urinary mucosal epithelium, resulting in long-term remodeling of the bladder epithelium. The initial infection has been hypothesized to cause epigenetic changes in the urothelia that allow sensitization for recurrent inflammation and reinfection. To examine this further, researchers derived differentiated urothelia from urothelial stem cell isolated from mice sensitized to develop chronic UTIs and from mice resistant to reinfection.

Sensitized urothelia demonstrated morphologic changes similar to th…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Uncovering the Molecular Cause of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

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Reviewing Author