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Kitta T, Kanno Y, Chiba H, Higuchi M, Ouchi M, Togo M, Moriya K, Shinohara N. Benefits and limitations of animal models in partial bladder outlet obstruction for translational research. Int J Urol 2017; 25:36-44. [PMID: 28965358 DOI: 10.1111/iju.13471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The functions of the lower urinary tract have been investigated for more than a century. Lower urinary tract symptoms, such as incomplete bladder emptying, weak urine stream, daytime urinary frequency, urgency, urge incontinence and nocturia after partial bladder outlet obstruction, is a frequent cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia in aging men. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The use of animal models is absolutely imperative for understanding the pathophysiological processes involved in bladder dysfunction. Surgical induction has been used to study lower urinary tract functions of numerous animal species, such as pig, dog, rabbit, guinea pig, rat and mouse, of both sexes. Several morphological and functional modifications under partial bladder outlet obstruction have not only been observed in the bladder, but also in the central nervous system. Understanding the changes of the lower urinary tract functions induced by partial bladder outlet obstruction would also contribute to appropriate drug development for treating these pathophysiological conditions. In the present review, we discuss techniques for creating partial bladder outlet obstruction, the characteristics of several species, as well as issues of each model, and their translational value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeya Kitta
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yukiko Kanno
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hiroki Chiba
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Madoka Higuchi
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mifuka Ouchi
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mio Togo
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kimihiko Moriya
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Nobuo Shinohara
- Department of Renal and Genitourinary Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Zhou F, Li H, Zhou C, Lv H, Ma Y, Wang Y, Song BO. Structural and functional changes in gap junctional intercellular communication in a rat model of overactive bladder syndrome induced by partial bladder outlet obstruction. Exp Ther Med 2016; 11:2139-2146. [PMID: 27284295 PMCID: PMC4887945 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between connexin (Cx)43 levels and alterations in gap junctional mediation of intercellular communication in overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), and to examine the effects of connexin inhibitor on this condition. Adult female Wistar rats with OAB following partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBBO) (OAB group, n=37) and sham-operated rats (control group, n=17) were studied. The ultrastructure of the rat detrusor was observed by transmission electron microscopy and the protein expression levels of Cx43 were analyzed using western blot analysis. Furthermore, bladder detrusor cells in both groups were cultured and cells in the OAB group were randomly divided into ten groups. In nine of these groups, 18-β glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) was administered at various doses and durations. All groups were compared using fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching and a laser scanning confocal microscope. Cystometry demonstrated that gap junctions were an abundant mechanism among adjacent cells, and Cx43 protein expression levels were increased in the OAB group following 6 weeks of obstruction, as compared with the control group. Mean fluorescence recovery rates in the OAB group were significantly increased, as compared with the control group (P<0.01). Mean fluorescence recovery rates were noted following 18β-GA administration. These results suggested that upregulation of Cx43 induces structural and functional alterations in gap junctional intercellular communication following PBOO, and connexin inhibitors may be a novel therapeutic strategy for the clinical treatment of OAB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghai Zhou
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou General Hospital, Lanzhou Command, PLA, Lanzhou, Gansu 730050, P.R. China
| | - Haiyuan Li
- Department of Urology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, P.R. China
| | - Chuan Zhou
- Department of Urology, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Haidi Lv
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou General Hospital, Lanzhou Command, PLA, Lanzhou, Gansu 730050, P.R. China
| | - Yulei Ma
- Department of Urology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, P.R. China
| | - Yangmin Wang
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou General Hospital, Lanzhou Command, PLA, Lanzhou, Gansu 730050, P.R. China
| | - B O Song
- Department of Urology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
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Characterization of gap junction proteins in the bladder of Cx43 mutant mouse models of oculodentodigital dysplasia. J Membr Biol 2012; 245:345-55. [PMID: 22752022 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-012-9455-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Accepted: 06/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Oculodentodigital dysplasia (ODDD) is a rare developmental disease resulting from germline mutations in the GJA1 gene that encodes the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43). In addition to the classical ODDD symptoms that affect the eyes, teeth, bone and digits, in some cases ODDD patients have reported bladder impairments. Thus, we chose to characterize the bladder in mutant mouse models of ODDD that harbor two distinct Cx43 mutations, G60S and I130T. Histological assessment revealed no difference in bladder detrusor wall thickness in mutant compared to littermate control mice. The overall localization of Cx43 in the lamina propria and detrusor also appeared to be similar in the bladders of mutant mice with the exception that the G60S mice had more instances of intracellular Cx43. However, both mutant mouse lines exhibited a significant reduction in the phosphorylated P1 and P2 isoforms of Cx43, while only the I130T mice exhibited a reduction in total Cx43 levels. Interestingly, Cx26 levels and distribution were not altered in mutant mice as it was localized to intracellular compartments and restricted to the basal cell layers of the urothelium. Our studies suggest that these two distinct genetically modified mouse models of ODDD probably mimic patients who lack bladder defects or other factors, such as aging or co-morbidities, are necessary to reveal a bladder phenotype.
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Sancho M, Triguero D, Garcia-Pascual A. Direct coupling through gap junctions is not involved in urethral neurotransmission. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2011; 300:F864-72. [DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00641.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are believed to participate in urethral neurotransmission and it was proposed that direct coupling of ICC and smooth muscle cells (SMC) through gap junctions (GJ) is involved, although this still remains unclear. Hence, we investigated the distribution of different connexins (Cx 43, Cx40, and Cx37) in the sheep and rat urethra, as well as their possible role in neurotransmission. Conventional PCR confirmed that three Cxs are expressed in the urethra. Moreover, both Cx43 and Cx37-immunoreactivity (-ir) were present in SMC, ICC, and the urothelium, although Cx37-ir was significantly weaker and Cx40-ir was limited to the endothelium. While these results indicate that GJ intercellular communication could occur between SMC and ICC, neither the contractile (noradrenergic) nor the relaxant (nitrergic) responses of the rat and sheep urethra to electrical field stimulation were significantly modified by two different GJ inhibitors: 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid and a cocktail of Cx mimetic peptides (Cx43Gap 26,Cx37, Cx43Gap 27, andCx40Gap 27). By contrast, contractions induced by high K+were effectively reduced by both blockers, evidence that they effectively inhibit intercellular communication. These results indicate that GJ are not implicated in urethral neurotransmission, although the question of whether ICC modulate neurotransmission through some other mechanism remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sancho
- Department of Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Domingo Triguero
- Department of Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
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