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Serotonin Receptor 5-HT3A Affects Development of Bladder Innervation and Urinary Bladder Function.
K Elaine Ritter1, Zunyi Wang2, Chad M Vezina3
1Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|January 10, 2018
Summary
Serotonin receptor 5-HT3A is crucial for bladder innervation development. Its absence in mice leads to altered autonomic control and increased urinary frequency, highlighting its role in nervous system development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Urology
Background:
- The lower urinary tract (LUT) requires autonomic and sensory innervation for function.
- Bladder dysfunction is prevalent, yet treatments are limited, and developmental factors are poorly understood.
- Serotonin receptor 5-HT3A is implicated in LUT development and adult bladder function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of serotonin receptor 5-HT3A in the development of bladder autonomic innervation.
- To determine if 5-HT3A is essential for the proper formation of nerve pathways in the bladder.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 5-HT3A expression in fetal and adult mouse pelvic ganglia.
- Phenotypic analysis of Htr3a knockout mice, including urinary voiding frequency and cystometry.
- Assessment of autonomic neuronal subtype markers (tyrosine hydroxylase, choline acetyl transferase) and nerve fiber density in the bladder.
Main Results:
- 5-HT3A is expressed early in fetal pelvic ganglia and persists into adulthood.
- Male Htr3a knockout mice show increased urinary frequency and decreased voiding efficiency.
- A transient disturbance in autonomic neuronal subtypes was observed in fetal Htr3a mutants.
- Loss of 5-HT3A activity leads to increased autonomic and sensory nerve fiber density in the bladder.
Conclusions:
- Serotonin receptor 5-HT3A plays a critical role in the autonomic control of micturition.
- 5-HT3A is essential for the developmental regulation of bladder innervation.
- This study identifies a novel function for 5-HT3A in peripheral nervous system development.
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