Accelerated onset of the vesicovesical reflex in postnatal NGF-OE mice and the role of neuropeptides.

Accelerated onset of the vesicovesical reflex in postnatal NGF-OE mice and the role of neuropeptides.
Exp Neurol. 2016 Nov;285(Pt B):110-125
Authors: Girard B, Peterson A, Malley S, Vizzard MA
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the postnatal maturation of micturition from a somatovesical to a vesicovesical reflex are not known but may involve neuropeptides in the lower urinary tract. A transgenic mouse model with chronic urothelial overexpression (OE) of NGF exhibited increased voiding frequency, increased number of non-voiding contractions, altered morphology and hyperinnervation of the urinary bladder by peptidergic (e.g., Sub P and CGRP) nerve fibers in the adult. In early postnatal and adult NGF-OE mice we have now examined: (1) micturition onset using filter paper void assays and open-outlet, continuous fill, conscious cystometry; (2) innervation and neurochemical coding of the suburothelial plexus of the urinary bladder using immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative image analyses; (3) neuropeptide protein and transcript expression in urinary bladder of postnatal and adult NGF-OE mice using Q-PCR and ELISAs and (4) the effects of intravesical instillation of a neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor antagonist on bladder function in postnatal and adult NGF-OE mice using conscious cystometry. Postnatal NGF-OE mice exhibit age-dependent (R(2)=0.996-0.998; p≤0.01) increases in Sub and CGRP expression in the urothelium and significantly (pâ...

Source: Experimental Neurology - October 26, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Girard B, Peterson A, Malley S, Vizzard MA Tags: Exp Neurol Source Type: research