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Acid-sensing channels in human bladder: expression, function and alterations during bladder pain syndrome.
Verónica Sánchez-Freire1, Maxime G Blanchard, Fiona C Burkhard
1Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
The Journal of Urology
|August 23, 2011
Summary
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are present in the human bladder. Upregulation of ASIC 2a and 3 in bladder pain syndrome patients suggests their role in pain perception.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pain Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are involved in pain signaling.
- The role of ASICs in bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of ASICs in the human bladder.
- To determine if ASIC expression is altered in patients with BPS.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of bladder dome biopsies from BPS patients and controls.
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence for ASIC expression.
- Electrophysiological measurements of ASIC function in cultured cells.
Main Results:
- ASIC 1a, 2a, and 3 mRNA detected in human bladder tissue.
- ASIC 3 levels were higher in urothelium compared to detrusor smooth muscle.
- ASIC 2a and 3 mRNA were upregulated in BPS patients, while transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 mRNA was downregulated.
Conclusions:
- ASIC subunits are expressed in the human bladder and regulated during urothelial differentiation.
- Upregulation of ASIC 2a and 3 in BPS patients suggests a role in pain and hyperalgesia.
- Downregulation of TRVP1 may indicate alternative regulatory mechanisms in the human bladder.
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