Related Experiment Videos
Decreased elastin gene expression in noncompliant human bladder tissue: a competitive reverse
1Department of Urology, University of Vienna, Austria.
The Journal of Urology
|October 23, 1998
Summary
Bladder fibrosis in myelomeningocele patients is linked to lower elastin gene expression. This decrease in elastin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) suggests transcriptional downregulation contributes to noncompliant bladders.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Fibrotic bladders in myelomeningocele patients exhibit low capacity and high storage pressures, risking renal damage.
- Previous research indicated increased extracellular matrix protein, particularly type III collagen, in the detrusor muscle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze elastin gene expression in obstructed bladders.
- To quantify elastin gene alterations and correlate elastin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) concentration with urodynamically measured bladder compliance.
Main Methods:
- Elastin mRNA concentration was measured using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in bladder tissue samples.
- Samples from noncompliant bladders (<10 cc/cm H2O) were compared to controls with normal compliance (>20 cc/cm H2O).
- Competitive RT-PCR was employed to quantify elastin cDNA concentration.
Main Results:
- Elastin mRNA levels were significantly lower in noncompliant bladders (37.48 ± 12.06 attomole/mg) compared to controls (119.63 ± 41.01 attomole/mg).
- Concentrations ranged from 27.6–63.2 attomole/mg in noncompliant bladders versus 62–190 attomole/mg in controls.
- Intra-sample variation was less than 10%.
Conclusions:
- A significant reduction in elastin mRNA correlates with diminished elastic fiber deposition in noncompliant bladders.
- The findings suggest that transcriptional downregulation of the elastin gene is a primary factor in noncompliant bladders.