These changes have indeed been
observed, and the question being asked now is why
this is happening. The
investigation has narrowed its sights on a class of
regulatory molecules called
microRNAs – tiny non-coding RNAs involved
in the regulation of gene
expression. “We have identified a number of these microRNAs which are found at different levels than normal in sufferers of BPS. This
change in expression is
reflected by changes in the expression of the target proteins.” In a recent paper, the microRNA known
as miR-199a-5p was shown to be upregulated in sufferers of bladder pain
exactly what the root of over-activity is, we might be able to help.” One of the biggest problems with BPS is the variety of
causes, according to
Burkhard. “If you don’t know what’s causing the problem, you have to try various treatments on the patient.
It is
basically a case of guesswork until you find something that works, and only sometimes does this cause a permanent improvement. “People can sometimes be in such a
miserable state that we end up having to remove their bladder, but sometimes even this does not completely stop the pain,” continues Burkhard. “That is one the main issues with BPS; it is one of these
AT A GLANCE Project Information
Project Title: The role of microRNAs in organ remodelling in lower urinary tract dysfunction
Project Objective: We aim to define the role of differentially expressed microRNAs in regulation of the genes, important for bladder function
Project Duration and Timing: 4 years, June 2011 to May 2014, to be continued subject to further funding
“The other issue with bladder over-activity is that you can prescribe drugs such as antimuscarinics, but after a year most patients have to stop taking them due to side-effects or because the drugs stop working”
syndrome. “Too much of this miRNA has an effect on the proteins that help to keep the epithelium watertight, causing it to become
more Monastyrskaya. permeable,” says “We were able to test
this by introducing specific molecules into primary cultures of epithelial cells, and then watching how the cells differentiated and tightened.” Another related problem is
bladder
over-activity. Essentially the same as BPS but without the perceived pain, the researchers are looking at the differences between over-active bladder with and without obstruction at the gene expression level. “We already have a lot of knowledge on BPS, and we are hoping that by looking at patients with over- active bladders we might be able to single out exactly what component causes the pain
using evidence an comparison
study. “The other issue with bladder over-activity is that you can prescribe drugs
such
Contact: Tel: + 41 31 632 87 19 Email:
monastyk@dkf.unibe.ch Web:
www.dkf.unibe.ch/
as
antimuscarinics, but after a year most patients have to stop taking them due to side-effects or because the drugs stop working,” says “Therefore,
Monastyrskaya. if we can help to single out
www.projectsmagazine.eu.com 57
classically enigmatic disorders that not a lot is known about, and so it is actually just as much a diagnostic problem as it is a treatment problem.” Funding for Burkhard
and
Monastyrskaya’s work was provided by the Swiss National Research Foundation, and they count themselves lucky to have received it. “Finding funding for non- cancer based research can be difficult to come by, although some of the illnesses that
come under this bracket
Project Funding: Swiss National Science Foundation, Grant 320030_135783/1, Amount : CHF 288’000 for 3 years
Project Partners: Department of Urology, University Hospital Bern Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern
MAIN CONTACT
are
extremely debilitating,” says Burkhard. “We feel it is important to bring awareness to problems such as BPS that don’t have the same sort of attention and research time devoted to them as more well- known afflictions.”
PD Dr Katia Monastyrskaya PD Dr Katia Monastyrskaya graduated from Dept. of Molecular Biology, Moscow State University, and obtained her D. Phil. at the University of Oxford. After 4 years in Industry (Givaudan AG) and 10 years at the University of Bern, she is currently a Senior Research Associate and Project Leader at the Urology Research Lab, Dept. of Urology University Hospital Bern.
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