OBJECTIVE: To compare the formation of gap junctions between detrusor smooth muscle cells in situ and the distribution of @entity19279 (Cx)40, @entity495 and @entity28292 expressions in bladder biopsies from a control group (with @entity150 ) and from @entity1 with urge symptoms, as smooth muscle cells of the @entity1 detrusor muscle communicate via gap junctions and express several @entity19279 subtypes, alterations of which may be involved in the causes of lower urinary tract symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: @entity19279 expression is prominent in myofibroblast-like cells, supposedly involved in afferent signalling pathways of the bladder. Their strategic position directly beneath the urothelium suggests they are a link between urothelial @entity855 signalling during @entity1494 and afferent Adelta-fibre stimulation for co-ordination of bladder tonus and initialization of the micturition reflex. Modification of their coupling characteristics may have profound @entity1494 . Bladder tissue probes of @entity1 undergoing cystectomy or transurethral @entity5 resection for @entity150 were used as controls. Tissue samples from @entity1 with severe @entity191 were taken for exclusion diagnostics of @entity2335 ( @entity2335 ) and @entity189 in situ. The formation of functional syncytia between detrusor smooth muscle cells were examined in dye-coupling experiments by injecting with Lucifer Yellow. The morphology and structure of gap junctions were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and immunogold labelling of @entity495 and @entity28292 . The expression of @entity19279 subtypes @entity8439 , @entity495 and @entity28292 was compared by indirect immunofluorescence, and confocal laser scanning microscopy used for semiquantitative analysis. RESULTS: There was dye coupling between smooth muscle cells of the detrusor in situ. Electron microscopy and immunogold labelling showed very small gap junctional plaques. These findings were confirmed by confocal immunofluorescence. Semiquantitative analyses showed significantly higher @entity495 expression in the detrusor muscle, and a tendency to higher @entity28292 expression in the suburothelial layer associated with urge symptoms, whereas @entity8439 expression was unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: Smooth muscle cells of the @entity1 detrusor muscle are coupled by classical gap junctions, forming limited local functional syncytia. Both @entity495 and @entity28292 are expressed at low levels in normal detrusor. Up-regulation of @entity495 in @entity1 with urge @entity322 supports the possibility of functional changes in the syncytial properties of detrusor smooth muscle cells in this condition. In addition, the observed increase of @entity28292 in the myofibroblast cell layer supports the idea that alterations in sensory signalling are also involved. Comparison with previous reports implies that the pathophysiology of urgency is distinct from that of the unstable bladder and other forms of @entity322 .

Alterations in XXXX expression in the bladder of @entity1 with urge symptoms.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human', 'patients'] @entity322 :: ('MESH:D014549', 'Disease') :: ['incontinence'] @entity495 :: ('2697', 'Gene') :: ['Cx43'] @entity1494 :: ('MESH:D001745', 'Disease') :: ['impact on bladder sensation', 'bladder filling'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumour'] @entity2335 :: ('MESH:D003556', 'Disease') :: ['IC', 'interstitial cystitis'] @entity8439 :: ('2702', 'Gene') :: ['Cx40'] @entity189 :: ('MESH:D002277', 'Disease') :: ['carcinoma'] @entity28292 :: ('10052', 'Gene') :: ['Cx45'] @entity191 :: ('MESH:D010300', 'Disease') :: ['idiopathic urge symptoms'] @entity150 :: ('MESH:D001749', 'Disease') :: ['bladder cancer', 'bladder tumour'] @entity19279 :: ('100128922', 'Gene') :: ['connexin', 'Connexin'] @entity855 :: ('MESH:D000255', 'Chemical') :: ['ATP']
@entity19279 :: (100128922,Gene) :: ['connexin']
