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Published on: December 4, 2020
Estrogen receptor beta-deficient female mice develop a bladder phenotype resembling human interstitial cystitis
Otabek Imamov1, Konstantin Yakimchuk, Andrea Morani
1Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Novum, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
Summary
Reduced estrogen receptor beta signaling may contribute to interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome in women. This study in mice suggests ERbeta deficiency causes bladder damage and inflammation, highlighting ERbeta as a potential therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic condition primarily affecting women, characterized by bladder pain, urgency, frequency, and nocturia.
- Estrogen's role in IC/PBS is suggested, but the specific involvement of estrogen receptors (ER), ERalpha and ERbeta, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) in the pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.
- To determine if ERbeta deficiency in mice leads to bladder pathology resembling IC/PBS symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of bladder tissue morphology and immune cell infiltration between wild-type (WT) mice and female estrogen receptor beta knockout (ERbeta(-/-)) mice.
- Analysis of urothelial integrity, presence of gammadelta T cells, and potential signaling imbalances.
Main Results:
- ERbeta is normally expressed in the basal urothelial layer of WT mouse bladders.
- Female ERbeta(-/-) mice exhibited significant urothelial ulceration and atrophy.
- These bladder changes in female ERbeta(-/-) mice were associated with concentrated infiltration of gammadelta T cells.
Conclusions:
- Reduced ERbeta signaling may play a role in the development of IC/PBS.
- Activated gammadelta T cells, potentially due to ERalpha/ERbeta signaling imbalance, appear to cause urothelial damage in female ERbeta(-/-) mice.
- Estrogen receptor beta represents a potential therapeutic target for managing interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.
