TRPV1 mRNA and protein expression in urothelial cancer (UC) tissues at different stages and grades. TRPV1 mRNA levels from UC tissues at different tumour stages (pTa–pT4) (a) and tumour grades (G1–G3) (b) were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Results (mean ± standard deviation) were normalized for β-actin expression and TRPV1 levels were expressed as relative fold with respect to normal bladder (NB) tissues used as control (*; **, Kruskal-Wallis test). Sections from paraffin-embedded NB and UC tissues at different pathological stages (pTa–pT4) were immunostained with an anti-human TRPV1 antibody (c). (A) Omission of the primary antibody. (B) NB specimen. (C–G) UC specimens staged as pTa-pT4. Size bars: 25 μm.L, lumen.