Increased Expression of Neuregulin 1 and erbB2 Tyrosine Kinase in the Bladder of Rats With Cyclophosphamide-Induced Interstitial Cystitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in expressions of neuregulin (NRG)1 and erbB2 tyrosine kinase (ErbB2) in bladders of rats with cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced interstitial cystitis (IC).

Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the IC group (n=16) and the control group (n=8). After inducing IC with intraperitoneal CYP injection, expressions of NRG1 and ErbB2 were analyzed using western blotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

In Western blotting, relative intensities and distributions of both NRG1 and ErbB2 were approximately 1. 5- and 3. 2-fold higher, respectively, in the IC group than in the control group (mean±standard deviation: 1. 42±0. 09 vs. 0. 93±0. 15 and 0. 93±0. 16 vs. 0. 29±0. 08, P<0. 05). In the rat bladder samples, mRNA expression levels of NRG1 and ErbB2 were higher in the IC group than in the control group (P<0. 05).

Our study has demonstrated significant changes in mRNA expression and immunoreactivity of NRG1 and ErbB2 receptors in the urinary bladder after CYP-induced IC. These results suggest that the up-regulated NRG1 may play a role in inducing an overactive bladder and promoting regeneration in the inflammatory bladder with CYP-induced IC.

International neurourology journal. 2015 Sep 22 [Epub]

Ki Hak Song, Chang Shik Youn, Chung Lyul Lee, Seung Woo Yang, Young Seop Chang, Seoung Woo Jeong, Chong Koo Sul

Department of Urology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. , Department of Urology, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, Daejeon, Korea. , Department of Urology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. , Department of Urology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. , Department of Urology, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. , Department of Physiology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea. , Department of Urology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.

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