Mechanosensitivity of the detrusor is defined as the ability of smooth muscle cells to generate mechanical activity independent of external stimuli. During bladder filling, there is usually no parasympathetic outflow from the spinal cord, however, the bladder develops tone and also exhibits non- synchronized local contractions and relaxations. Pathological changes in mechanosensory mechanisms may lead to the development of detrusor overactivity (DO) which is a co-symptom of several dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract including overactive bladder, obstructed bladder, urinary incontinence, and bladder pain syndrome. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that impaired mechanosensation and mechanotransduction in bladder smooth muscle cells (BSMC) results in the abnormal response of the human bladder to physiological stretch and detrusor overactivity due to the changes in mechano-gated two-pore domain (K2p, KCNK) K+ channels. Animal data and our preliminary results from the human detrusor suggest that stretch-activated two-pore domain (K2p, KCNK) K+ channels play a critical role in bladder mechanosensitivity. We also established that TREK-1 channel is a predominantly expressed member of stretch-activated K2p channels in the human detrusor.
Specific Aim 1 will identify differences in the level of expression and function of stretch-activated K+ (K2p) channels in human bladder smooth muscle cells in patients without and with detrusor overactivity.
Specific Aim 2 will evaluate interactions between TREK-1 and cytoskeleton (actin microfilaments, caveolin, membrane lipids) in human BSMC and compare the role of TREK-1 modulating proteins in normal vs. overactive human detrusor.
Specific Aim 3 will test the efficacy of gene therapies (gene silencing by siRNA and gene activation by saRNA) in modulating the expression and function of TREK-1 in human BSMC in order to effectively regulate an abnormal response of the overactive detrusor to stretch during bladder filling. The overall objective of this proposal is to investigat cellular and molecular mechanisms of abberant mechanosensitivity and altered response of the human detrusor to physiological stretch associated with increased myogenic tone and spontaneous non-voiding contractions in patients with DO. Proposed studies will clarify the cellular mechanisms of mechanosensitivity and mechanotransduction in the human bladder and in patients with idiopathic DO, and provide new information for the development of new pharmacological interventions and innovative strategies for the treatment of urinary bladder dysfunctions.

Public Health Relevance

Detrusor over activity (DO) is a symptom of many disorders of the lower urinary tract including overactive bladder, obstructed bladder, urinary incontinence, and bladder pain syndrome. These are disabling and burdensome medical conditions that cause psychological stress and significantly reduce the quality of life in affected patients. The proposed studies will clarify the cellular mechanisms of mechanosensitivity and mechanotransduction in patients with idiopathic DO and provide a foundation for the development of new pharmacological interventions and innovative strategies for the treatment of urinary bladder dysfunctions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01DK095817-01A1
Application #
8695744
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (UGPP)
Program Officer
Mullins, Christopher V
Project Start
2014-09-08
Project End
2018-05-31
Budget Start
2014-09-08
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$303,630
Indirect Cost
$86,130
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041096314
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
Nedumaran, Balachandar; Pineda, Ricardo H; Rudra, Pratyaydipta et al. (2018) Association of genetic polymorphisms in the pore domains of mechano-gated TREK-1 channel with overactive lower urinary tract symptoms in humans. Neurourol Urodyn :
Iguchi, Nao; Malykhina, Anna P; Wilcox, Duncan T (2018) Early life voiding dysfunction leads to lower urinary tract dysfunction through alteration of muscarinic and purinergic signaling in the bladder. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol :
Lee, Sanghee; Malykhina, Anna P (2017) Neuro-tracing approach to study kidney innervation: a technical note. Kidney Res Clin Pract 36:86-94
Lee, Sanghee; Carrasco Jr, Alonso; Meacham, Randall B et al. (2017) Transurethral Instillation Procedure in Adult Male Mouse. J Vis Exp :
Iguchi, Nao; Dönmez, M ?rfan; Malykhina, Anna P et al. (2017) Preventative effects of a HIF inhibitor, 17-DMAG, on partial bladder outlet obstruction-induced bladder dysfunction. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 313:F1149-F1160
Pineda, Ricardo H; Nedumaran, Balachandar; Hypolite, Joseph et al. (2017) Altered expression and modulation of the two-pore-domain (K2P) mechanogated potassium channel TREK-1 in overactive human detrusor. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 313:F535-F546
Malykhina, Anna P (2017) How the brain controls urination. Elife 6:
Nedumaran, Balachandar; Rudra, Pratyaydipta; Gaydos, Jeanette et al. (2017) Impact of Regular Cannabis Use on Biomarkers of Lower Urinary Tract Function. Urology 109:223.e9-223.e16
Malykhina, A P; Brodie, K E; Wilcox, D T (2017) Genitourinary and gastrointestinal co-morbidities in children: The role of neural circuits in regulation of visceral function. J Pediatr Urol 13:177-182
Iguchi, Nao; Malykhina, Anna P; Wilcox, Duncan T (2016) Inhibition of HIF Reduces Bladder Hypertrophy and Improves Bladder Function in Murine Model of Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction. J Urol 195:1250-6

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