Role of LPCAT4 in human urothelium

Study to understand the impact of knocking down LPCAT4 in normal human ureteric urothelium. LPCAT4 is an LPC-specific acyl-CoA transferase, with a role in diversifying membrane phosphatidylcholine. Knockdown of LPCAT4 resulted in reduced proliferation, an elevated barrier tightness, but a reduced capacity for barrier repair. RNA sequencing was used to understand the transcriptomic effects of knockdown and how this may explain the observed phenotype. Sequencing was performed across 4 donors at 2 time points in the differentiation protocol, and compared with donor- and procedure control-matched cultures.