Stress-Induced Changes in Trophic Factor Expression in the Rodent Urinary Bladder: Possible Links With Angiogenesis

Article information

Int Neurourol J. 2022;26(4):299-307

Publication date (electronic) : 2022 December 30

doi : https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2244118.059

Mathijs M. de Rijk^,¹^,²

, Amanda Wolf-Johnston ³, Aura F. Kullmann ³

, Katherine Maringer ⁴^,⁵, Sunder Sims-Lucas ⁴^,⁵^,⁶

, Gommert A. van Koeveringe ¹^,²

, Larissa V. Rodríguez ⁷, Lori A. Birder ³^,⁸

¹Department of Urology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

²Department of Urology, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands

³Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

⁴Rangos Research Center, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

⁵Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

⁶Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

⁷Department of Urology, Weill-Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

⁸Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Corresponding author: Mathijs M. de Rijk Department of Urology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands Email: m.derijk@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Received 2022 May 10; Accepted 2022 December 12.

Abstract

Purpose

Substantive evidence supports a role of chronic stress in the development, maintenance, and even enhancement of functional bladder disorders such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Increased urinary frequency and bladder hyperalgesia have been reported in rodents exposed to a chronic stress paradigm. Here, we utilized a water avoidance stress (WAS) model in rodents to investigate the effect of chronic stress on vascular perfusion and angiogenesis.

Methods

Female Wistar-Kyoto rats were exposed to WAS for 10 consecutive days. Bladder neck tissues were analyzed by western immunoblot for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nerve growth factor precursor (proNGF). Vascular perfusion was assessed by fluorescent microangiography followed by Hypoxyprobe testing to identify regions of tissue hypoxia.

Results

The expression of VEGF and proNGF in the bladder neck mucosa was significantly higher in the WAS rats than in the controls. There was a trend toward increased vascular perfusion, but without a statistically significant difference from the control group. The WAS rats displayed a 1.6-fold increase in perfusion. Additionally, a greater abundance of vessels was observed in the WAS rats, most notably in the microvasculature.

Conclusions

These findings show that chronic psychological stress induces factors that can lead to increased microvasculature formation, especially around the bladder neck, the region that contains most nociceptive bladder afferents. These findings may indicate a link between angiogenesis and other inflammatory factors that contribute to structural changes and pain in IC/BPS.

Keywords: Cystitis, Interstitial; Bladder pain syndrome; Chronic stress; Growth factors; Inflammation

INTRODUCTION

The lower urinary tract has 2 main functions—namely, storing urine until the capacity of the bladder is reached and micturition once an appropriate time and place are found to empty the bladder. The proper execution of these functions is dependent on a delicate interplay between local and central processes, which convey sensory information to our awareness and allow us to voluntarily initiate micturition. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) comprise bothersome problems experienced during the storage and/or voiding of urine. LUTS are highly prevalent in the general population and have a major impact on patients’ quality of life [1]. Clinical studies and population-based surveys have indicated that a strong relationship exists between LUTS and symptoms related to anxiety and depression, which often manifest as comorbid conditions [2,3]. This relationship appears to be of a bidirectional nature and has been established for a variety of LUTS and syndromes including urinary frequency, overactive bladder, and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) [4,5]. This paper aimed to further elucidate the relationship between chronic psychological stress and IC/BPS.

IC/BPS is characterized as a chronic condition presenting with chronic pelvic pain that is perceived to be localized to the bladder and is accompanied by storage dysfunction. The mechanisms underlying this condition are still largely unknown. However, chronic psychological stress and anxiety may initiate maladaptive changes in nociceptive pathways, ultimately resulting in stress-induced hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia [6]. Studies have indicated that increased stress is highly prevalent in IC/BPS patients and is associated with the exacerbation of symptoms [7-11]. Therapeutic interventions aimed at improving psychological well-being have also been reported to reduce IC/BPS symptoms [12,13]. It is likely that the stress-related exacerbation of IC/BPS is associated with maladaptive changes in nociceptive pathways.

Experimental models in which anxiety-prone rodents are exposed to a chronic stress paradigm induce symptoms associated with IC/BPS, such as severe anxiety-related behavior, tactile allodynia in the suprapubic region, and a significant increase in voiding frequency [14-19]. A frequently used model to induce chronic psychological stress in studies investigating the relationship with lower urinary tract function is the water avoidance stress (WAS) paradigm. Previous studies utilizing WAS in rats to investigate IC/BPS-associated changes in lower urinary tract function have indicated that exposure to WAS leads to visceral hypersensitivity during bladder filling and alterations in the central nervous system response [18].

IC/BPS is associated with increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an essential regulator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability crucial for the maintenance of healthy vascular function [20]. The high expression of VEGF that can be observed in IC/BPS is associated with immature angiogenesis, leading to fragile and in some cases hemorrhage-prone vessels, and VEGF levels show a positive relationship with pain severity in patients suffering from IC/BPS [21, 22]. VEGF is recognized as a survival factor for endothelial cells and other cell types [23], such as renal tubular epithelial cells [24]. It has been suggested that the increase in VEGF initially acts a survival mechanism in response to IC/BPS, but can lead to detrimental effects, such as edema and inflammation [25,26].

In addition to its role in the maintenance of vascular function, research has suggested that VEGF plays an important role in neuroprotective processes, and reduced levels of VEGF may promote neuronal degeneration [27]. It has been proposed that VEGF exerts neuroplastic effects by playing a modulating role in nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling pathways, and VEGF inhibition has been shown to induce a decrease in the expression of proNGF, the precursor of NGF [28]. Urinary NGF levels have been reported to show a direct association with IC/BPS symptom severity and treatment efficacy [29,30]. In addition to its neuroplastic and neuroprotective effects, proNGF plays a mediating role in the induction of angiogenic processes [31].

In the current study, we utilized WAS-induced chronic stress in rats as a model for IC/BPS and investigated levels of VEGF and proNGF along with the assessment of vascular perfusion and angiogenesis in the region of the bladder neck. We hypothesized that exposing rats to a WAS paradigm would induce an elevation of VEGF and proNGF levels in the bladder neck and would have an impact on vascular perfusion and angiogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animals

This study utilized young adult female Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats (180–200 g) purchased from a commercial vendor (Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. Wilmington, MA, USA). This particular strain is genetically predisposed to elevated levels of anxiety [32] and has successfully been used to study stress-induced visceral hyperalgesia in earlier studies [17]. Rats were assigned to either WAS or control conditions at random. Animals were kept in standard housing with 12-hour light/dark cycles and ad libitum access to standard chow and water. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approved all procedures, which conformed to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals published by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH Publication No. 85-23, revised 1996).

WAS Paradigm

Rats were divided into WAS and control groups at random. The WAS paradigm utilized in this study was established [17] and hence used by the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) research network [18]. In short, rats were placed on a pedestal (8 cm×8 cm×11.5 cm) in a water-filled container (1 hr/day for 10 consecutive days) and sacrificed on day 11. Controls were handled in the same way as the WAS rats but placed in a clean cage (1 hr/day for 10 consecutive days). All procedures for both groups were conducted in the morning to control for circadian effects. The animals were sacrificed by exsanguination during isoflurane anesthesia.

Western Immunoblotting

Following removal, bladder tissue was placed in a Sylgard-lined dissecting dish and cut open longitudinally to isolate the region around the bladder neck for further processing. After surgically separating the urinary mucosa (consisting of the urothelium and lamina propria) from the smooth muscle, tissue was homogenized using Lysing Matrix D in a FastPrep 24 instrument (MP Biomedicals, Solon, OH, USA) in HBSS (5mM KCl, 0.3mM KH₂PO₄, 138mM NaCl, 4mM NaHCO₃, 0.3mM Na₂HCO₃, 0.3mM Na₂HPO₄, 5.6mM glucose, 10mM HEPES, 1mM DL-dithiothreitol, and 1mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; pH, 7.4) containing a complete protease inhibitor cocktail (1 tablet/10 mL; Roche, Indianapolis, IN, USA) and phosphatase inhibitor cocktail (1:100; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA). After centrifugation (16,200×g; 15 min at 4°C), we suspended the membrane pellets in lysis buffer containing 0.3M NaCl, 50mM Tris-HCl (pH, 7.6), 0.5% Triton X-100, and the same concentration of protease inhibitors as above to prepare the membrane protein fraction. We then incubated the suspensions on ice followed by centrifugation (16,200 ×g; 15 minutes at 4°C). The supernatants were combined, and total protein concentrations were assessed using the Pierce BCA protein assay (Thermo Scientific, Rockford, IL, USA). After denaturation (100°C for 5 min) in the presence of Laemmli sample buffer, lysate from each sample was separated on an Any kD TGX Stain-Free SDS-PAGE gel (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA). As a loading control, the total protein per sample was determined using Bio-Rad Stain-Free SDS-PAGE gel technology. Ultraviolet-activated protein fluorescence was imaged on a ChemiDoc MP (Bio-Rad Laboratories). After proteins were transferred to polyvinylidene fluoride membranes, the membranes were incubated in 5% (w/v) dried milk dissolved in tris buffered saline with tween (TBS-T) (20mM Trizma, 137mM NaCl, 0.1% Tween-20; pH, 7.6), rinsed with TBS-T, and incubated overnight at 4°C with primary antibodies for VEGFA (AB46154, 1:1,000 in 5% milk; Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA [WAS, N =10; control, N =11]) and proNGF (OSN00007G, 1:1,000 in 5% Milk; Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA [WAS, N =6; control, N =6]). After washing in TBS-T, the membranes were incubated with a secondary antibody (donkey anti-rabbit HRP, GE Healthcare, Marlborough, MA, USA) or goat anti-rabbit IgG HRP (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., Dallas, TX, USA) for 1 hour in 5% (w/v) milk TBS-T, washed, incubated in WesternBright Quantum (Advansta, Menlo Park, CA, USA) and then imaged on a ChemiDoc MP (Bio-Rad Laboratories). A single immunoreactive band was observed for both VEGF (45 kDa) and proNGF (54 kDa). The optical density of each protein species was determined and normalized to the total protein using Image Lab software (Bio-Rad Laboratories).

Fluorescent Microangiography and Quantification of Vessel Diameter

The control and WAS rats were subjected to fluorescent microangiography (N=3 per group) as previously described [33,34]. In brief, deeply anesthetized rats received an intracardiac injection of low-temperature wax (1% low melting agarose gel; Sigma-Aldrich) containing fluorescent beads (5 mL of 1% FluoSpheres Carboxylate-Modified Microspheres 0.02 μm; Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Following the infusion with low melting temperature wax and beads, the bladders were excised and placed on ice for 10 minutes before fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde.

Two hours before tissue harvest, injection of the gold-standard immunohistochemical hypoxia marker Hypoxyprobe (Pimonidazole HCl; Hypoxyprobe, Burlington, MA, USA) was done to visualize areas of tissue hypoxia. The bladders were then processed into frozen blocks, exhaustively sectioned, and then imaged along with the fluorescent microbeads. These images were then quantitated using MATLAB as previously described [33,34], and a high-throughput analysis was performed to assess regional changes in blood flow and vascular networks (e.g., microvessel abundance and area).

Statistical Analysis

The results are presented as mean±standard error of the mean. The values for the control versus WAS groups were compared using the 2-tailed unpaired Student t-test for parametrically distributed data or the Mann-Whitney test for nonparametric data sets, using GraphPad Prism 7 (GraphPad Software, La Jolla, CA, USA). P-values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

We first assessed whether VEGF protein expression was higher in bladder neck mucosa obtained from rats exposed to WAS compared to the control group using western immunoblotting. VEGF expression is known to be elevated in IC/BPS, and VEGF is involved in angiogenic processes. Bladder neck mucosa VEGF protein expression was significantly higher by 1.8-fold in the WAS rats than in the control rats (80.81±10.6, N=11 vs. 44.14±7.96, N=10, P=0.0156) (Fig. 1A).

Fig. 1.

Bar graphs depicting water avoidance stress (WAS)-associated changes in levels of VEGF (WAS: 80.81±10.6, N=11, control: 44.14±7.96, N=10; P=0.016) (A) and proNGF (WAS: 3.38±0.47, N=6, control: 1.28±0.16, N=6; P=0.002) (B). Western blot expression bands and representative total protein images are included. VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; proNGF, nerve growth factor precursor. *P≤0.05. **P≤0.01.

Elevated levels of VEGF are associated with increased expression of proNGF, which has been reported to be involved in neuroplastic changes in cystitis and mediates proangiogenic processes. Western blot analysis indicated that levels of proNGF were significantly higher, by 2.6-fold, in bladder neck mucosa from WAS animals than in controls (3.38 ±0.47, N =6 vs. 1.28±0.16, N=6, P=0.0017) (Fig. 1B).

We then perfused the urinary bladder of the control and WAS rats with low-melting-temperature agar containing fluorescent beads. There was a trend toward increased vasculature perfusion in WAS rat bladders (Fig. 2A, green depicts regions of perfusion throughout the bladder neck mucosa/submucosa, N=3 per group). Perfusion efficiency was calculated by measuring the total blood vessel area, defined as the area containing fluorescent beads. This region was then expressed as a percentage of the total tissue area. The WAS rats showed a 1.6-fold increase in vascular perfusion. Representative micrographs from the control and WAS bladders are shown in Fig. 2A. The quantitative analysis showed a more variable distribution in the bladders from WAS rats versus a more narrow distribution in the control bladders. However, the calculated perfusion ratio in bladders from the WAS rats (4.42±1.12, N=3) and control rats (2.78±0.16, N=3) did not significantly differ (P=0.22) (Fig. 2B). Although genes implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis, such as VEGF, are known to be regulated by hypoxia, we found no obvious signs of tissue hypoxia in either the control or WAS bladders, as the intensity of staining of pimonidazole adducts was similar in both WAS and control bladder tissue. We also observed a greater abundance of vessels in the WAS rats (especially the microvasculature).

Fig. 2.

(A) Representative micrographs from control and water avoidance stress (WAS) bladder regarding tissue perfusion and hypoxia are shown. Green depicts regions of perfusion throughout the bladder neck mucosa/submucosa, N=3 per group. The WAS rats displayed an increase in perfusion. No obvious signs of tissue hypoxia in either control or WAS bladders can be observed, as the intensity of staining of pimonidazole adducts was similar in both WAS and control bladder tissue. (B) WAS rats showed a 1.6-fold increase in vascular perfusion. The calculated perfusion ratio in bladders from WAS (4.42±1.12, N=3) and control (2.78±0.16, N=3) animals did not significantly differ (P=0.22).

DISCUSSION

In the present study, we examined the effects of a chronic psychological stress paradigm on inducing symptoms related to IC/BPS in the bladder neck mucosa. We provide support to the proposal that exposure to chronic psychological stress can alter bladder health at a structural level. Markers related to angiogenesis, inflammatory, and neuroprotective processes were significantly increased in WAS rats. The exacerbated expression of these factors, over time, could lead to dysfunctional alterations in nociceptive pathways and contribute to the clinical phenotype of IC/BPS.

The mucosal samples obtained from the bladder neck region of rats exposed to a WAS paradigm showed a significantly higher expression of VEGF compared to the control group. The overexpression of VEGF in WAS rats indicates the initiation of angiogenic processes in the bladder neck. This culminates in immature blood vessels, which are vulnerable to become leaky and potential regions of ischemia, and is an important factor involved in the development of edema and inflammation regularly seen in IC/BPS [25,35]. VEGF has been shown to be involved in bladder wall permeability and deterioration of the barrier function of the urothelium [36,37]. Deterioration of the barrier function of the urothelium allows urea and toxins present in the harsh chemical composition of urine to pass into the underlying layers of the bladder and has been linked to sensations of urgency and pain during the filling phase, as well as urinary frequency [38]. VEGF is involved in neuroplastic changes in IC/BPS related to hypersensitivity in response to noxious stimuli and, interestingly, evidence indicates that cystitis-induced neuroplasticity in the bladder can be prevented by the administration of VEGF-neutralizing antibodies [39], showing a direct modulatory effect of VEGF on the peripheral nervous system. Targeting VEGF expression by administering anti-VEGF-neutralizing antibodies has also been shown to significantly reduce the nociceptive response to a model of acute cystitis [40]. Because of its established expression in IC/BPS and correlation with symptom severity [21], the MAPP research network has suggested that VEGF might serve as a useful biomarker to diagnose the presence and potentially the severity of IC/BPS in bladder biopsies [22].

An important role for neurotrophins, such as NGF, as versatile signaling molecules in allostatic adaptations to exposure to stressors has been established [41]. In the central nervous system, the expression of neurotrophins is significantly altered after exposure to stressors. Altered neurotrophin expression initiates neurobiological changes that are associated with the pathophysiology of affective disorders. In particular, in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, maladaptive changes can be observed after exposure to stress-inducing stimuli. Furthermore, NGF has been indicated to play an essential role in nociceptive processing [42]. The bladder neck mucosa in WAS rats showed a significant increase in the expression of proNGF, as measured by western blot analysis. These results are in agreement with previously reported elevations in NGF (the mature form of proNGF) in patients with IC/BPS [30,43]. The promotion of neuronal survival and differentiation by NGF is carried out by binding to tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75ntr). A delicate balance of NGF binding to both TrkA and p75ntr receptors is required for neuroprotective and differentiation-related activity. Binding to p75ntr receptors in the absence of binding to TrkA induces apoptosis and axonal pruning [44]. ProNGF can, by selective binding to p75ntr but not TrkA, evoke apoptotic processes [45,46]. Given the deterioration of urothelial health in IC/BPS [47], the accumulation of proNGF and the associated onset of apoptotic processes are likely to negatively impact the restorative capacity of the urothelium, resulting in a further decline of lower urinary tract health and potentially an exacerbation of IC/BPS-related symptoms.

NGF is a notable mast cell activator, and the accumulation of NGF could play a key role in mast cell activation in IC/BPS [48]. IC/BPS is known as a chronic inflammatory disease, and increased mast cell activation has been postulated to play a role in its onset and progression [49,50]. Mediators secreted by mast cells may explain the symptoms of IC/BPS related to inflammatory processes, angiogenesis, and neuronal hyperexcitability in the bladder wall. Mast cell activation in the bladder has been reported in rodents exposed to a 10-day WAS protocol [17], and the increased release of VEGF in an acute stress paradigm has, interestingly, been indicated to be regulated through a mast cell-dependent process [37].

The developmental processes of blood vessels and nerves share many common signaling pathways [51] and studies on retinal tissue have suggested that proNGF is likely to be involved in angiogenic and inflammatory processes [31,52]. Studies have indicated that proNGF and NGF initiate angiogenic processes via TrkA binding and downstream signaling pathways such as PI3K and ERK [53]. Inflammatory processes in IC/BPS may culminate in increased vascular perfusion and permeability, which are associated with peripheral edema [54].

Although not statistically significant, we report a trend towards an increase in vascular perfusion in WAS rats, and the microvasculature also appeared to be increased in WAS rats. These changes are likely due to the direct and indirect effects of the increased expression of VEGF and proNGF on angiogenic processes and vascular permeability. Quantification of vascular perfusion in the bladder neck is methodologically challenging, and larger N-numbers might be required to accurately reflect potential changes in perfusion related to IC/BPS in this animal model. The observed vascular increases, in particular in the microvasculature, could indicate the presence of immature blood vessels. Immature angiogenesis, leading to fragile vessels and potential areas of ischemia, has previously been reported in IC/BPS and is linked to an increase in VEGF expression [21,39]. Previous research has suggested that increased VEGF expression in IC/BPS might be caused by hypoxia in the bladder [55,56], but our data did not show evidence of hypoxia in WAS rats. This might indicate that NGF-induced mast cell activation plays a more prominent role in the increased release of VEGF [37].

To conclude, in the present work we showed that exposing rats to a 10-day WAS protocol led to a significant increase in the expression of VEGF and proNGF in the bladder neck mucosa, induced a trend towards an increase in vascular perfusion, and promoted a greater abundance of vessels (particularly in the microvasculature). We propose that these detrimental structural changes in the lower urinary tract negatively impact overall lower urinary tract health, as well as urothelial signaling and barrier functions, and play an important role in the clinical phenotype seen in IC/BPS. The current study solely focused on changes in the bladder neck associated with IC/BPS. More work is needed to determine whether the observed changes occur in the complete bladder or are isolated to the bladder neck. Future research should aim to assess the effects of duration of WAS exposure on these outcome measures, integrate the assessment of tissue markers associated with psychological stress, and further investigate the relationships between VEGF and proNGF expression and processes related to angiogenesis, neuroplasticity, and apoptosis with the potential of identifying and improving biomarkers of IC/BPS and further uncovering mechanisms that can be utilized to improve therapeutic options for IC/BPS patients.

Notes

Funding/Grant Support

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01 DK115476).

Research Ethics

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approved all procedures, which conformed to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals published by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH Publication No. 85-23, revised 1996).

Conflict of Interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT

·Conceptualization: LVR, LAB

·Data curation: AWJ, AFK, KM, SSL, LVR

·Formal analysis: AWJ, AFK, KM, SSL, LVR, LAB

·Funding acquisition: LAB, LVR

·Methodology: AWJ, AFK, KM, SSL, LVR

·Project administration: LAB

·Visualization: MDR, KM, LAB

·Writing - original draft: MDR, LAB

·Writing - review & editing: MDR, AWJ, SSL, GAVK, LVR, LAB

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