Urothelium-derived Sonic hedgehog promotes mesenchymal proliferation and induces bladder smooth muscle differentiation

Abstract

Induction of smooth muscle differentiation from bladder mesenchyme depends on signals that originate from the urothelium. We hypothesize Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is the urothelial signal that promotes bladder mesenchymal proliferation and induces bladder smooth muscle differentiation. Pregnant FVB mice were euthanized on embryonic day (E) 12.5 and fetal bladders were harvested. Two experimental protocols were utilized: (1) Bladder mesenchyme (BLM) was isolated by incubating intact bladders (IB) in 0.02 M EDTA and then removing the urothelium by microdissection. IB and BLM were cultured in Shh-deficient media or BLM was cultured in Shh-supplemented (480 nM) media for 72 h. (2) IB were cultured for 72 h in media containing different concentrations of Shh (0, 48, and 480 nM). Specimens were sized by serial sectioning. Cell counts were performed after trypsin digestion. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect smooth muscle-specific protein expression. α-Actin expression was quantified using Western blot. All specimens were viable at 72 h. BLM cultured without Shh survived but did not grow or undergo smooth muscle differentiation. IB cultured without Shh and BLM cultured with Shh grew and expressed smooth muscle proteins at 72 h. IB cultured with Shh were larger and contained more cells than IB cultured without Shh (all p<0.05). Increasing Shh concentration from 48 to 480 nM did not change bladder size, cell counts, or the level of α-actin expression. Prior to culture, IB did not express α-actin. After culture of IB in Shh-deficient media, α-actin was detected throughout the mesenchyme except in the submucosal layer. The IB submucosa was thinner after culture with 48 nM Shh and smooth muscle completely obliterated the submucosa after culture with 480 nM Shh. In fetal mouse bladders, urothelium-derived Shh is necessary for mesenchymal proliferation and smooth muscle differentiation. Shh concentration affects mesenchymal proliferation and patterning of bladder smooth muscle.