β-Adrenoceptors regulate matrix metalloproteinase expression in human urothelial cells under hydrostatic pressure

The bladder wall is constantly subjected to intravesical pressure during the filling and voiding cycles. An imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) under elevated intravesical pressure contributes to pathological changes in the bladder. To investigate the changes in human urothelial cells (HUCs) under elevated intravesical pressure, this study analyzed the effect of β-adrenoceptor signaling on the expression of MMPs and TIMPs in HUCs exposed to pathological hydrostatic pressure (HP) (70 cm H₂ O) for 6 hours. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and cell fluorescence staining were used to explore the effect of β-adrenoceptor signaling on the expression of MMPs and TIMPs in HUCs after agonist and/or antagonist treatment. The expression levels of β₂ - and β₃ -adrenoceptor, MMP1, and MMP2 were greatly downregulated, while the expression of TIMP1 was greatly upregulated. Formoterol and BRL 37344, which are agonists of β₂ - and β₃ -adrenoceptor, respectively, significantly increased MMP1 and MMP2 expression under 70 cm H₂ O. As a classic downstream pathway of β₂ - and β₃ -adrenoceptor, protein kinase A (PKA) signaling inhibited MMP1 and MMP2 expression by regulating cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) activity. MMP1 and MMP2 expression in HUCs under 70 cm H₂ O was modified by β₂ - and β₃ -adrenoceptor via the PKA/CREB pathway. This outcome suggests that MMPs likely participate in the pathological effects of elevated intravesical pressure. The underlying mechanism of β₂ - and β₃ -adrenoceptor in elevated intravesical pressure was also revealed; this mechanism constitutes a new potential therapeutic target for partial bladder outlet obstruction.