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

• Published in: International neurourology journal Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 158 - 163
• Main Authors: Song, Ki Hak, Youn, Chang Shik, Lee, Chung Lyul, Yang, Seung Woo, Chang, Young Seop, Jeong, Seoung Woo, Sul, Chong Koo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Continence Society 01-09-2015; 대한배뇨장애요실금학회
• Subjects: Cystitis, Interstitial; Neuregulin-1; Original; Rats; Receptor, ErbB-2; 비뇨기과학; Cystitis, Interstitial; Rats; Neuregulin-1; Receptor, ErbB-2
• ISSN: 2093-4777; 2093-6931; 2093-6931
• DOI: 10.5213/inj.2015.19.3.158

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.