Increased Piezo1 channel activity in interstitial Cajal-like cells induces bladder hyperactivity by functionally interacting with NCX1 in rats with cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis

Exp Mol Med. 2018 May 7;50(5):1-16. doi: 10.1038/s12276-018-0088-z.

Abstract

The Piezo1 channel is a mechanotransduction mediator, and Piezo1 abnormalities have been linked to several clinical disorders. However, the role of the Piezo1 channel in cystitis-associated bladder dysfunction has not been documented. The current study aimed to discover the functional role of this channel in regulating bladder activity during cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis. One hundred four female rats were randomly assigned to the control, CYP-4h, CYP-48h and CYP-8d groups. CYP successfully induced acute or chronic cystitis in these rats. CYP treatment for 48h or 8d significantly increased Piezo1 channel expression in bladder interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICC-LCs), and the increase in CYP-8d rats was more prominent. In addition, 2.5 μM Grammostola spatulata mechanotoxin 4 (GsMTx4) significantly attenuated bladder hyperactivity in CYP-8d rats by inhibiting the Piezo1 channel in bladder ICC-LCs. Furthermore, by using GsMTx4 and siRNA targeting the Piezo1 channel, we demonstrated that hypotonic stress-induced Piezo1 channel activation significantly triggered Ca2+ and Na+ influx into bladder ICC-LCs during CYP-induced chronic cystitis. In addition, the Piezo1 channel functionally interacted with the relatively activated reverse mode of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 1 (NCX1) in bladder ICC-LCs from CYP-8d rats. In conclusion, we suggest that the functional role of the Piezo1 channel in CYP-induced chronic cystitis is based on its synergistic effects with NCX1, which can significantly enhance [Ca2+]i and result in Ca2+ overload in bladder ICC-LCs, indicating that the Piezo1 channel and NCX1 are potential novel therapeutic targets for chronic cystitis-associated bladder hyperactivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects*
  • Cystitis / chemically induced*
  • Cystitis / physiopathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Ion Channel Gating / drug effects
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Peptides / toxicity
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / metabolism*
  • Spider Venoms / toxicity
  • Stress, Physiological / drug effects
  • Telocytes / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation / genetics
  • Urinary Bladder / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • MTx4 protein, Grammostola spatulata
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Piezo1 protein, rat
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger
  • Spider Venoms
  • sodium-calcium exchanger 1
  • Cyclophosphamide