Polyploid Superficial Cells that Maintain the Urothelial Barrier Are Produced via Incomplete Cytokinesis and Endoreplication (Cell Reports)

Binucleated superficial cells are critical for urothelial barrier function. Wang et al. show that they derive from binucleated intermediate cells that form via incomplete cytokinesis. Both superficial and intermediate cells increase ploidy via endoreplication, a feature likely to be important for repair and response to environmental changes.