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Qian S, Hu S, Zhu W, Tamalunas A, Stief CG, Hennenberg M. Silencing of Rac1 and Arf6 reduces time-dependent and carbachol-induced contractions, proliferation, survival and growth in human bladder smooth muscle cells. World J Urol 2025; 43:279. [PMID: 40332567 PMCID: PMC12058880 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-025-05652-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2025] [Accepted: 04/21/2025] [Indexed: 05/08/2025] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Storage symptoms in overactive bladder are explained by detrusor contractions and bladder wall thickening. Arf6 and Rac1 are monomeric GTPases with newly emerging roles in smooth muscle contraction and proliferation. Here, we investigated human bladder smooth muscle cells (hBSMC) functions after silencing of Arf6 or Rac1. METHODS hBSMC were transfected with Arf6- or Rac1-specific or scrambled siRNA (controls), and characterized using collagen contraction assays, for proliferation (EdU, Ki67), viability, growth in colony formation assays and actin organization. RESULTS Arf6 and Rac1 silencing was confirmed by RT-PCR. Time-dependent contractions (0.5-6 h after assay initiation) were reduced in Arf6- and Rac1-silenced cells (36% Arf6, 28% Rac1, after 6 h), compared to scramble-transfected cells. Carbachol (3 µM) increased the time-dependent contractions, which were reduced by silencing of Arf6 (40-62%, 0.5-6 h) or Rac1 (30-59% at 0.5-6 h). With U46619 or endothelin-1, time-dependent contractions were similar to contractions without agonists, but again reduced in Arf6- and Rac1-silenced cells. Compared to scramble-transfected cells, silencing reduced the proliferation rate (Arf6 52%, Rac1 33%), Ki67 mRNA expression (89%, 91%), colony formation (63%, 66%), viability (Arf6 up to 84%, Rac1 up to 85%), and actin polymerization (30%, 31%). CONCLUSIONS Arf6 and Rac1 promote time-dependent and carbachol-induced contractions of hBSMC, which may be mediated by actin polymerization. Simultaneously, Arf6 and Rac1 promote proliferation, growth and survival in hBSMC. Arf6 and Rac1 may be potentially involved in detrusor overactivity, bladder wall thickening and medical treatment of overactive bladder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Qian
- Department of Urology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sheng Hu
- Department of Urology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wenbin Zhu
- Department of Urology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Christian G Stief
- Department of Urology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Hennenberg
- Department of Urology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, München, Germany.
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Wróbel J, Zapała Ł, Niemczyk G, Poleszak E, Dobrowolski P, Kluz T, Bogaczyk A, Jasielski P, Wdowiak A, Bojar I, Misiek M, Wróbel A. The Efficacy of an Active Medicinal Alkaloid, Berbamine, in Reducing Overactive Bladder Symptoms in a Retinyl Acetate-Induced Model. Biomolecules 2025; 15:190. [PMID: 40001493 PMCID: PMC11852409 DOI: 10.3390/biom15020190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2025] [Accepted: 01/27/2025] [Indexed: 02/27/2025] Open
Abstract
We aimed to determine whether berbamine (BBM) would have an effect on retinyl acetate (RA)-induced cystometric and biochemical parameters, characteristic of bladder overactivity. BBM exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and muscle-relaxant effects which could counteract pathophysiological mechanisms observed in overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome. The cohort of 60 rats was divided into 4 groups: I-control, II-RA group, III-BBM, and IV-group with the combination of RA + BBM. The cystometry, BBF, cardiovascular parameters and diuresis, the analysis of the cFos, and biochemical biomarker levels were analyzed 48 h after completion of BRB administration. The examined substance turned out to reverse the cystometric changes and c-Fos expression changes induced by RA when compared to the control group. There were no significant changes observed in the analyzed groups of animals MAP, HR, BBF, or UP. Importantly, BBM also turned out to reduce the level of OAB biomarkers present in urine (NGF, BDNF), urothelium (TRPV1, SNAP29, ATP, CGRP, or OCT-3), bladder detrusor muscle (VAChT, Rho kinase) as well as to reduce the exponents of oxidative stress (3-nitrotyrosine, malondialdehyde). The multifactorial explanation of the successful alleviation of the RA-induced detrusor overactivity makes the concept of incorporation of BBM in the OAB treatment promising for the future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Wróbel
- Medical Faculty, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Łukasz Zapała
- Clinic of General, Oncological and Functional Urology, Medical University of Warsaw, Lindleya 4, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Grzegorz Niemczyk
- Clinic of General, Oncological and Functional Urology, Medical University of Warsaw, Lindleya 4, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Ewa Poleszak
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Piotr Dobrowolski
- Department of Functional Anatomy and Cytobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka St. 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Kluz
- Department of Gynecology, Gynecology Oncology and Obstetrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rejtana 16c, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland;
| | - Anna Bogaczyk
- Department of Gynecology, Gynecology Oncology and Obstetrics, Fryderyk Chopin University Hospital, Szopena 2, 35-055 Rzeszow, Poland; (A.B.); (P.J.)
| | - Patryk Jasielski
- Department of Gynecology, Gynecology Oncology and Obstetrics, Fryderyk Chopin University Hospital, Szopena 2, 35-055 Rzeszow, Poland; (A.B.); (P.J.)
| | - Artur Wdowiak
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 4-6 Staszica St., 20-081 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Iwona Bojar
- Department of Women’s Health, Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Marcin Misiek
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Holy Cross Cancer Center, 25-377 Kielce, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Wróbel
- Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
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Kim MJ, Ibrahim MM, Jablonski MM. Deepening insights into cholinergic agents for intraocular pressure reduction: systems genetics, molecular modeling, and in vivo perspectives. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1423351. [PMID: 39130374 PMCID: PMC11310038 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1423351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasympathetic activation in the anterior eye segment regulates various physiological functions. This process, mediated by muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, also impacts intraocular pressure (IOP) through the trabecular meshwork. While FDA-approved M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R) agonists exist for IOP reduction, their systemic cholinergic adverse effects pose limitations in clinical use. Therefore, advancing our understanding of the cholinergic system in the anterior segment of the eye is crucial for developing additional IOP-reducing agents with improved safety profiles. Systems genetics analyses were utilized to explore correlations between IOP and the five major muscarinic receptor subtypes. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations were applied to human M3R homology model using a comprehensive set of human M3R ligands and 1,667 FDA-approved or investigational drugs. Lead compounds from the modeling studies were then tested for their IOP-lowering abilities in mice. Systems genetics analyses unveiled positive correlations in mRNA expressions among the five major muscarinic receptor subtypes, with a negative correlation observed only in M3R with IOP. Through modeling studies, rivastigmine and edrophonium emerged as the most optimally suited cholinergic drugs for reducing IOP via a potentially distinct mechanism from pilocarpine or physostigmine. Subsequent animal studies confirmed comparable IOP reductions among rivastigmine, edrophonium, and pilocarpine, with longer durations of action for rivastigmine and edrophonium. Mild cholinergic adverse effects were observed with pilocarpine and rivastigmine but absent with edrophonium. These findings advance ocular therapeutics, suggesting a more nuanced role of the parasympathetic system in the anterior eye segment for reducing IOP than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjae J. Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Hamilton Eye Institute, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Mohamed M. Ibrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Hamilton Eye Institute, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Monica M. Jablonski
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Hamilton Eye Institute, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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