cytokine effects on gap junction communication and connexin expression in human bladder smooth muscle cells and suburothelial myofibroblasts细胞因子影响缝隙连接通讯和联接蛋白表达在人类膀胱平滑肌细胞和suburothelial myofibroblasts.pdfVIP

Cytokine Effects on Gap Junction Communication and Connexin Expression in Human Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells and Suburothelial Myofibroblasts 1 2,3 2,3 1 1 Marco Heinrich , Andreas Oberbach , Nadine Schlichting , Jens-Uwe Stolzenburg , Jochen Neuhaus * 1 Department of Urology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany, 2 Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany, 3 Leipzig University Medical Center, IFB Adiposity Diseases, Leipzig, Germany Abstract Background: The last decade identified cytokines as one group of major local cell signaling molecules related to bladder dysfunction like interstitial cystitis (IC) and overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is essential for the coordination of normal bladder function and has been found to be altered in bladder dysfunction. Connexin (Cx) 43 and Cx45 are the most important gap junction proteins in bladder smooth muscle cells (hBSMC) and suburothelial myofibroblasts (hsMF). Modulation of connexin expression by cytokines has been demonstrated in various tissues. Therefore, we investigate the effect of interleukin (IL) 4, IL6, IL10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFb1) on GJIC, and Cx43 and Cx45 expression in cultured human bladder smooth muscle cells (hBSMC) and human suburothelial myofibroblasts (hsMF). Methodology/Principal Findings: HBSMC and hsMF cultures were set up from bladder tissue of patients undergoing cystectomy. In cytokine stimulated cultured hBSMC and hsMF GJIC was analyzed via Fluorescence Recovery after Photo- bleaching (FRAP)