Gene expression in stress urinary incontinence: a systematic review

• Published in: International Urogynecology Journal Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: Isali, Ilaha, Mahran, Amr, Khalifa, Ahmad O., Sheyn, David, Neudecker, Mandy, Qureshi, Arshna, Conroy, Britt, Schumacher, Fredrick R., Hijaz, Adonis K., El-Nashar, Sherif A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Apolipoproteins; Autophagy; Extracellular matrix; Gene expression; Growth factors; Gynecology; Health risk assessment; Keratin; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pathogenesis; Pelvic organ prolapse; Proteins; Review Article; Risk factors; Signal transduction; Studies; Systematic review; Urinary incontinence; Urology; Womens health; Gene expression; Systematic review; Stress urinary incontinence
• ISSN: 0937-3462; 1433-3023
• DOI: 10.1007/s00192-019-04025-5

Introduction
A contribution of genetic factors to the development of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is broadly acknowledged. This study aimed to: (1) provide insight into the genetic pathogenesis of SUI by gathering and synthesizing the available data from studies evaluating differential gene expression in SUI patients and (2) identify possible novel therapeutic targets and leads.
Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted through September 2017 for the concepts of genetics and SUI. Gene networking connections and gene-set functional analyses of the identified genes as differentially expressed in SUI were performed using GeneMANIA software.
Results
Of 3019 studies, 4 were included in the final analysis. A total of 13 genes were identified as being differentially expressed in SUI patients. Eleven genes were overexpressed: skin-derived antileukoproteinase (
SKALP
/
elafin
), collagen type XVII alpha 1 chain (
COL17A1
), plakophilin 1 (
PKP1
), keratin 16 (
KRT16
), decorin (
DCN
), biglycan (
BGN
), protein bicaudal D homolog 2 (
BICD2
), growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (
GRB2
), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (
STAT3
), apolipoprotein E (
APOE
), and Golgi SNAP receptor complex member 1 (
GOSR1
), while two genes were underexpressed: fibromodulin (
FMOD
) and glucocerebrosidase (
GBA
). GeneMANIA revealed that these genes are involved in intermediate filament cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix organization.
Conclusion
Many genes are involved in the pathogenesis of SUI. Furthermore, whole-genome studies are warranted to identify these genetic connections. This study lays the groundwork for future research and the development of novel therapies and SUI biomarkers in clinical practice.