Connexin45 expression in the human obstructed detrusor muscle.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) frequently develop lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). To elucidate the underlying pathomechanisms we focused on altered cellular communication between detrusor cells.


METHODS
Bladder biopsies were collected from eight BPH patients with compensated BOO and from eight non-obstructed patients. Detrusor areas were separated by laser capture microdissection microscopy, and extracted RNA was subjected to quantitative RT-PCR for connexin43 and connexin45. Furthermore, localization of connexin45 and lysosome membrane associated protein 1 was studied by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
We found the human detrusor to express connexin45 rather than connexin43. Compared to controls, connexin45 expression was not significantly changed in detrusors of obstructed patients. However, connexin45 protein patterns were focally altered in obstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study is the first to provide evidence that connexin45-coupling of detrusor cells may be regionally impaired in patients with BOO due to BPH. The altered connexin45 coupling may contribute to LUTS.
John
Hubert
H
Department of Urology, Hirslanden Hospital, Zurich 8032, Switzerland. hubert.john@hirslanden.ch
Walch
Michael
M
Lehmann
Theresa
T
Maake
Caroline
C
D000368:Aged; D017630:Connexins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications*; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D017630:Connexins; C082920:connexin 45