Urine-based regenerative RNA biomarkers for urinary bladder wound healing

Background: This study aimed to investigate the expression of regeneration-related genes in canine urine during bladder repair. Materials & methods: Canine urine samples were collected after partial cystectomy. Regenerative mRNA of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), key stem cell transcription factors and cholinergic signals were detected. Results: HIF-1α, VEGF, CD44, IL-6 and prominin-1 expression in canine urine after partial cystectomy exhibited two similar peaks at ∼2 weeks. HIF-1α and VEGF expression were higher in the afternoon than the morning. The expression of key stem cell transcription factors and cholinergic signals also exhibited a rhythm along with bladder healing. Conclusions: The expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, key stem cell transcription factors and cholinergic signals exhibited a time curve distribution during canine bladder healing. The expression trend of some regenerative genes was similar during bladder healing, and a cooperative effect may exist.