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Related Experiment Videos

Intercellular communication and bladder function.

George J Christ1, Karicheti Venkateswarlu, Nancy S Day

  • 1Department of Urology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|April 20, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Overactive bladder involves changes in detrusor smooth muscle cells. Intercellular communication via gap junctions, particularly Cx43, may be crucial for bladder function and dysfunction.

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Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Physiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Overactive bladder is linked to altered electrical properties in detrusor smooth muscle cells.
  • Gap junction intercellular communication is a potential mechanism in bladder overactivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of gap junction communication in detrusor smooth muscle.
  • To explore alterations in connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA expression in response to physiological stress.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of electrical properties of detrusor smooth muscle cells.
  • Assessment of Cx43 mRNA expression levels.

Main Results:

  • Preliminary data suggest gap junction communication is important in bladder overactivity.

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  • Cx43 mRNA expression changes may indicate a compensatory response to increased pressure load.

    • Conclusions:

    • Intercellular communication through gap junctions is implicated in normal bladder physiology.
    • Dysfunctional gap junction communication may contribute to urinary incontinence in partial outlet obstruction.