Table 1.

Distribution of structural extracellular matrix (ECM) components, function and prognostic value in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

	Normal localization	Localization/function in malignant tumors	Prognostic value	References
Laminin	Basal membrane	Laminin-5 γ2 chain: altered distribution out of basal membrane, loss of cellular retention	Altered distribution of laminin-5 γ2-chain associated with worse overall survival, higher risk of recurrence and progression; independent prognostic factor in bladder cancer treated with TUR	Schapers et al. 1990; Hindermann et al. 2003; Kiyoshima et al. 2005; Abou Fahra et al. 1993
Collagen	Basal membrane (IV, VII) ECM (I, III)	Loss of collagen IV in basal membranes, de- arrangement of collagen VII	Loss of collagen IV associated with invasive behavior and worse overall survival	Schapers et al. 1990; Daher et al. 1987; Alampi et al. 1989
FN	Lamina propria, attenuated suburothelial	Increased in lamina propria, co-expression with Tn-C, increased in urine	Increased expression associated with stage, proliferation, Tn-C, laminin and collagen IV expression, no prognostic value; increased in urine: early detection of tumor; decrease in urine: response to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-therapy	Ioachim et al. 2001; Hegele et al. 2003; Menendez et al. 2003; Malmstrom et al. 1993
Tn-C	ECM	Different splicing variants, increased around invasive tumor cell nests loss of cellular retention	Increased stromal expression associated with worse overall survival; tumor cell expression associated with improved overall survival	Brunner et al. 2001
TSP1	ECM, tumor cells, around vessels, at stromal-epithelial junctions	Decreased perivascular and at stromal-epithelial junction	Decreased expression associated with high rate of recurrence and worse overall survival	Goddard et al. 2002; Grossfeld et al. 1997; Ioachim et al. 2006

Abbreviations: FN: fibronectin; Tn-C: tenascin-C; TSP1: thrombospondin 1; TUR: transurethral resection.