Materials and Methods: A total of 8 swine urinary bladders were used as material in the study. NF-κB, Hsp70 and TNF-α expression were demonstrated by Streptavidin-biotin complex immunohistochemistry method.

Results: Uroepithelial cells gave a focal cytoplasmic reaction with NF-κB. A moderate staining intensity was observed in NF-?B, smooth muscle cells of the detrusor muscle layer and in the vessel wall. Hsp70 expression was observed in the cytoplasms and nuclei of basal and intermediate cells. It was remarkable that basal cell nuclei showed a strong reaction. The bladder's smooth muscle bundles were stained positively with Hsp70. TNF-α expression was observed throughout all three layers of urothelium as a brown color in the urinary bladder. Interestingly, we determined that some umbrella cells' luminal surfaces showed intense membrane-like immunopositive staining.

Conclusion: In this study, the expression of NF-κB, Hsp70, and TNF-α in the swine urinary bladder was determined in epithelial cells of tunica mucosa and smooth muscle cells of tunica muscularis. Based on the immunohistochemical findings, it was concluded that the enzymes and cytokines secreted by the cells forming the urothelium and detrusor muscle layer contribute to the biological process, intercellular communication, physiological state and play an important role in defense of the urinary bladder.