ABSTRACT Urothelium is the protective lining of the urinary tract. The mechanisms underlying urothelial formation and maintenance are largely unknown. Here, we report the stage-specific roles of PRC2 epigenetic regulators in embryonic and adult urothelial progenitors. Without Eed , the obligatory subunit of PRC2, embryonic urothelial progenitors demonstrate reduced proliferation with concomitant dysregulation of genes including Cdkn2a ( p16 ), Cdkn2b ( p15 ) and Shh. These mutants display premature differentiation of keratin 5-positive (Krt5 + ) basal cells and ectopic expression of squamous-like differentiation markers. Deletion of Ezh2 , the major enzymatic component of PRC2, causes upregulation of Upk3a + superficial cells. Unexpectedly, Eed and Eed / Ezh2 double mutants exhibit delayed superficial cell differentiation. Furthermore, Eed regulates the proliferative and regenerative capacity of adult urothelial progenitors and prevents precocious differentiation. Collectively, these findings uncover the epigenetic mechanism by which PRC2 controls urothelial progenitor cell fate and the timing of differentiation, and further suggest an epigenetic basis of urothelial maintenance and regeneration.

Malformation of the urogenital tract represents a considerable paediatric burden, with many defects affecting the lower urinary tract (LUT), genital tubercle and associated structures. Understanding the molecular basis of such defects frequently draws on murine models. However, human anatomical terms do not always superimpose on the mouse, and the lack of accurate and standardised nomenclature is hampering the utility of such animal models. We previously developed an anatomical ontology for the murine urogenital system. Here, we present a comprehensive update of this ontology pertaining to mouse LUT, genital tubercle and associated reproductive structures (E10.5 to adult). Ontology changes were based on recently published insights into the cellular and gross anatomy of these structures, and on new analyses of epithelial cell types present in the pelvic urethra and regions of the bladder. Ontology changes include new structures, tissue layers and cell types within the LUT, external genitalia and lower reproductive structures. Representative illustrations, detailed text descriptions and molecular markers that selectively label muscle, nerves/ganglia and epithelia of the lower urogenital system are also presented. The revised ontology will be an important tool for researchers studying urogenital development/malformation in mouse models and will improve our capacity to appropriately interpret these with respect to the human situation.

The urinary tract is an outflow system that conducts urine from the kidneys to the bladder via the ureters that propel urine to the bladder via peristalsis. Once in the bladder, the ureteral valve, a mechanism that is not well understood, prevents backflow of urine to the kidney that can cause severe damage and induce end-stage renal disease. The upper and lower urinary tract compartments form independently, connecting at mid-gestation when the ureters move from their primary insertion site in the Wolffian ducts to the trigone, a muscular structure comprising the bladder floor just above the urethra. Precise connections between the ureters and the trigone are crucial for proper function of the ureteral valve mechanism; however, the developmental events underlying these connections and trigone formation are not well understood. According to established models, the trigone develops independently of the bladder, from the ureters, Wolffian ducts or a combination of both; however, these models have not been tested experimentally. Using the Cre-lox recombination system in lineage studies in mice, we find, unexpectedly, that the trigone is formed mostly from bladder smooth muscle with a more minor contribution from the ureter, and that trigone formation depends at least in part on intercalation of ureteral and bladder muscle. These studies suggest that urinary tract development occurs differently than previously thought, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal development.