Cadherin-11 up-regulation in overactive bladder suburothelial myofibroblasts.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether the adherens junction proteins cadherin-11 and beta-catenin can be immunohistochemically visualized in the human bladder using commercially available antibodies and, if so, whether there are differences between patients with overactive bladder and refractory detrusor overactivity, and controls without lower urinary tract symptoms.


METHODS
In a prospective, nonrandomized single center study 32 patients with overactive bladder and refractory detrusor overactivity, and 8 controls without lower urinary tract symptoms underwent cystoscopic bladder biopsy. Quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed. The primary outcome was cadherin-11 and beta-catenin expression in the human bladder using commercially available antibodies. The secondary outcome was differences in cadherin-11 and beta-catenin in patients with overactive bladder and refractory detrusor overactivity, and controls.


RESULTS
Double labeling experiments showed co-localization of cadherin-11 and connexin 43 in the suburothelium. There was also strong co-localization of cadherin-11 and beta-catenin in the suburothelium and detrusor. Significant 2-fold up-regulation of cadherin-11 was found in the suburothelium of patients with overactive bladder compared with that in controls (p = 0.018), whereas beta-catenin was similar in the groups (p = 0.6). In the detrusor cadherin-11 and beta-catenin expression was comparable in patients with overactive bladder and controls (each p = 0.5). No difference was observed in cadherin-11 and beta-catenin in patients with overactive bladder with idiopathic vs neurogenic detrusor overactivity in the suburothelium and the detrusor (p >0.3 and >0.2, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Using commercially available antibodies cadherin-11 and beta-catenin expression in human bladder suburothelial myofibroblasts and detrusor smooth muscle cells was noted. Cadherin-11 up-regulation in suburothelial myofibroblasts in patients with overactive bladder may be significant in overactive bladder pathogenesis.
Roosen
Alexander
A
Department of Uro-Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
Apostolidis
Apostolos
A
Elneil
Sohier
S
Khan
Shahid
S
Panicker
Jalesh
J
Brandner
Sebastian
S
Fowler
Clare J
CJ
Kessler
Thomas M
TM
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D032342:Muscle Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000503:physiopathology*; D032446:Myoblasts; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015854:Up-Regulation; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019459:Urothelium / Q000166:cytology
D015820:Cadherins; C086960:osteoblast cadherin