Dystrophin is expressed in smooth muscle and afferent nerve fibers in the rat urinary bladder.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

With increasing life expectancy, comorbidities become overt in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Although micturition problems are common, bladder function is poorly understood in DMD. We studied dystrophin expression and multiple isoform involvement in the bladder during maturation to gain insights into their roles in micturition.

Methods

Dystrophin distribution was evaluated in rat bladders by immunohistochemical colocalization with smooth muscle, interstitial, urothelial, and neuronal markers. Protein levels of Dp140, Dp71, and smooth muscle were quantitated by Western blotting of neonatal to adult rat bladders.

Results

Dystrophin colocalized with smooth muscle cells and afferent nerve fibers. Dp71 was expressed two- to threefold higher compared with

SUBMITTER: Lionarons JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6771971 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature