Expression of functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat urinary bladder epithelial cells

Although nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in both the central and peripheral nervous systems play a prominent role in the control of urinary bladder function, little is known regarding expression or function of nicotinic receptors in the bladder epithelium, or urothelium. Nicotinic receptors have been described in epithelial cells lining the upper gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and the skin. Thus the present study examined the expression and functionality of nicotinic receptors in the urothelium, as well as the effects of stimulation of nicotinic receptors on the micturition reflex. mRNA for the alpha3, alpha5, alpha7, beta3, and beta4 nicotinic subunits was identified in rat urothelial cells using RT-PCR. Western blotting also confirmed urothelial expression of the alpha3- and alpha7-subunits. Application of nicotine (50 nM) to cultured rat urothelial cells elicited an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, indicating that at least some of the subunits form functional channels. These effects were blocked by the application of the nicotinic antagonist hexamethonium. During in vivo bladder cystometrograms in urethane-anesthetized rats, intravesical administration of nicotine, choline, or the antagonists methyllycaconitine citrate and hexamethonium elicited changes in voiding parameters. Intravesical nicotine (50 nM, 1 microM) increased the intercontraction interval. Intravesical choline (1-100 microM) also affected bladder reflexes similarly, suggesting that alpha7 nicotinic receptors mediate this effect. Intravesical administration of hexamethonium (1-100 microM) potentiated the nicotine-induced changes in bladder reflexes. Methyllycaconitine citrate, a specific alpha7-receptor antagonist, prevented nicotine-, choline-, and hexamethonium-induced bladder inhibition. These results are the first indication that stimulation of nonneuronal nicotinic receptors in the bladder can affect micturition.