Representative images of CD34-staining (endothelial marker) showing the vascularisation of the bladder ULP area in the different studied groups.

<p>No significant difference was found in total vascularisation in any of the studied groups (see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0127020#pone.0127020.g005" target="_blank">Fig 5</a>). As shown in the images the vascular topography was changed in all bladder disease groups, with blood vessels being organised more haphazardly in the ULP, although this observation could not be quantified. Arrows indicate CD34+ blood vessels and capillaries. U is urothelium, ULP IC equals upper lamina propria interstitial cells (red dotted line separates urothelium form the ULP IC area). Scale bars indicate 300μm.