Modulating Properties of Hyperpolarization-Activated Cation Current in Urinary Bladder Smooth Muscle Excitability: A Simulation Study

Abstract

Smooth muscle cells from the urinary bladder display enhanced spontaneous electrical activities during the overactive bladder state. It is very well known that the electrical properties of all excitable cells are regulated by the intrinsic active ion channels. In excitable cells like the neurons, cardiac and other smooth muscle cells, the hyperpolarization-activated cation channel has been considered as a potential target to regulate cell’s excitability. The primary purpose of this research work is to develop a computational model of the hyperpolarization-activated cation channel in urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM) cell to analysis its modulating role in cell’s excitability. All required biophysical parameters are adapted from the published experimental studies in UBSM cell. We have successfully simulated and validated the channel model by comparing it with experimental findings in UBSM cells. We have investigated the potential role of this hyperpolarization-activated cation channel in regulating the shape of the evoked action potentials. From this quantitative analysis, we conclude that future pharmacological studies on hyperpolarization-activated cation channel can provide more insights into the underlying bladder overactivity.