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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
06:36
A Decentralized (Ex Vivo) Murine Bladder Model with the Detrusor Muscle Removed for Direct Access to the Suburothelium during Bladder Filling
Published on: November 28, 2019
Alterations in caveolin expression and ultrastructure after bladder smooth muscle hypertrophy.
Erzsébet Polyák1, Ettickan Boopathi, Sunish Mohanan
1Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19036, USA.
The Journal of Urology
|September 22, 2009
Summary
Partial bladder outlet obstruction in male rabbits leads to detrusor smooth muscle hypertrophy. This study found reduced caveolae and caveolin expression, impacting signal transduction and cytoskeletal changes in obstructed bladders.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Cell Biology
- Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) in male rabbits mimics human benign prostatic hyperplasia, causing detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) hypertrophy and voiding dysfunction.
- DSM hypertrophy involves alterations in cellular ultrastructure and protein expression, affecting bladder function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in caveolae and intermediate filament proteins in DSM following PBOO-induced hypertrophy.
- To analyze the protein expression and ultrastructure of caveolae and intermediate filaments in hypertrophied DSM.
Main Methods:
- Utilized immunofluorescence and electron microscopy on DSM sections from normal and hypertrophied rabbit bladders.
- Performed Western blot analysis to quantify caveolin isoforms (1, 2, 3) and intermediate filament proteins.
Main Results:
- Hypertrophied DSM showed an increased number of intermediate filaments and elongated dense plaques.
- A decreased number and disorganized distribution of caveolae were observed in hypertrophied DSM.
- Western blot analysis revealed significantly reduced expression of caveolin-1, -2, and -3 in hypertrophied DSM.
Conclusions:
- Decreased caveolae and caveolin expression in hypertrophied DSM may impair signal transduction pathways regulating muscle contraction and calcium sensitization.
- Increased intermediate filaments likely alter DSM cytoskeletal structure, affecting force transmission during obstruction.
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