The Role of microRNAs in Organ Remodeling in Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction

Urgency, frequency and incomplete emptying are the key symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction, including bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis, and overactive bladder syndrome. Lower urinary tract dysfunction is associated with cellular stress, leading to changes in gene expression and consequent organ remodeling. MicroRNAs are small regulatory molecules, affecting protein synthesis. They are quickly winning recognition as potential therapeutic agents. The investigators will perform a comparative study of mRNAs changed in lower urinary tract dysfunction and address the role of differentially expressed miRNAs in regulation of the genes, important for bladder function. The experimental approach, combining the analysis of human biopsy material with the in vitro cell-based models, will allow the investigators to elucidate the effects of miRNAs on the expression of receptors, contractile proteins and tight junction proteins. Once the disease-induced miRNAs have been characterised and their target genes validated, it will be possible to influence their expression levels thus counter-acting their effects.

The investigators' work addresses fundamental mechanisms of signal transduction in urothelium and smooth muscle during cellular stress caused by inflammation or bladder outlet obstruction, and its regulation in the diseased state. The investigators' findings will further the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of lower urinary tract dysfunction and have implications for diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, they have relevance for other clinical conditions, where miRNAs are implicated.