title: Implications for bidirectional signaling between afferent nerves and urothelial cells-ICI-RS 2014.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a synopsis of the presentations and discussions from Think Tank I, "Implications for afferent-urothelial bidirectional communication" of the 2014 International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS) meeting in Bristol, UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants presented what is new, currently understood or still unknown on afferent-urothelial signaling mechanisms. New avenues of research and experimental methodologies that are or could be employed were presented and discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It is clear that afferent-urothelial interactions are integral to the regulation of normal bladder function and that its disruption can have detrimental consequences. The urothelium is capable of releasing numerous signaling factors that can affect sensory neurons innervating the suburothelium. However, the understanding of how factors released from urothelial cells and afferent nerve terminals regulate one another is incomplete. Utilization of techniques such as viruses that genetically encode Ca(2+) sensors, based on calmodulin and green fluorescent protein, has helped to address the cellular mechanisms involved. Additionally, the epithelial-neuronal interactions in the urethra may also play a significant role in lower urinary tract regulation and merit further investigation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The signaling capabilities of the urothelium and afferent nerves are well documented, yet how these signals are integrated to regulate bladder function is unclear. There is unquestionably a need for expanded methodologies to further our understanding of lower urinary tract sensory mechanisms and their contribution to various pathologies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanai
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fry
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Youko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Florenta Aura
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Kullmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Birder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009476:Neurons, Efferent / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation*; D019459:Urothelium / Q000294:innervation*
keywords: GCaMP3; dorsal root ganglia (DRG); interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS); pseudorabies virus (PRV)