Experimental overactivity or blockade of transforming growth factor-B each generate a specific ureter malformation

The mammalian ureter is a tube connecting the kidney with the urinary bladder. The differentiated urothelial tube is surrounded by smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In mice embryos by E15, the first SM cells have formed and, over the next few prenatal days, the ureter becomes a functional unit, transmitting urine generated by the metanephros. Molecules in the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) axis have been reported to be upregulated in both kidney and ureter malformations. This study reports the effects of TGFB1 treatment on E15 mouse ureters in vitro.