Role of p75NTR in female rat urinary bladder with cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis

Previous studies demonstrated changes in urinary bladder neurotrophin content and upregulation of neurotrophin receptors, TrkA and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), in micturition reflex pathways after cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis. p75NTR can bind nerve growth factor (NGF) and modulate NGF-TrkA binding and signaling. We examined p75NTR expression and the role of p75NTR in the micturition reflex in control and CYP-treated rats. p75NTR Immunoreactivity was present throughout the urinary bladder. CYP-induced cystitis (4 h, 48 h, chronic) increased (P <= 0.05) p75NTR expression in whole urinary bladder as shown by Western blotting. The role of p75NTR in bladder function in control and CYP-treated rats was determined using conscious cystometry and immunoneutralization or PD90780, a compound known to specifically block NGF binding to p75NTR. An anti-p75NTR monoclonal antibody or PD90780 was infused intravesically and cystometric parameters were evaluated. Both methods of p75NTR blockade significantly (P <= 0.05) decreased the intercontraction interval and void volume in control and CYP-treated rats. Intravesical infusion of PD90780 also significantly (P <= 0.001) increased intravesical pressure and increased the number of nonvoiding contractions during the filling phase. Control intravesical infusions of isotype-matched IgG and vehicle were without effect. Intravesical instillation of PD90780 significantly (P <= 0.01) reduced the volume threshold to elicit a micturition contraction in control rats (no inflammation) and CYP-treated in a closed urinary bladder system. These studies demonstrate 1) ubiquitous p75NTR expression in urinary bladder and increased expression with CYP-induced cystitis and 2) p75NTR blockade at the level of the urinary bladder produces bladder hyperreflexia in control and CYP-treated rats. The overall activity of the urinary bladder reflects the balance of NGF-p75NTR and NGF-TrkA signaling.