Loss of Caveolin 1 is Associated With the Expression of Aquaporin 1 and Bladder Dysfunction in Mice

PURPOSE It is suggested that caveolin and aquaporin might be closely associated with bladder signal activity. We investigated the effect of the deletion of caveolin 1, using caveolin 1 knockout mice, on the expression of aquaporin 1 in order to identify their relation in the urothelium of the urinary bladder. METHODS The cellular localization and expressions of aquaporin 1 and caveolin 1, in the wild type and caveolin 1 knockout mice urinary bladder, were examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence techniques. RESULTS Aquaporin 1 and caveolin 1 were coexpressed in the arterioles, venules, and capillaries of the suburothelial layer in the wild type controls. Aquaporin 1 protein expression was significantly higher in the caveolin 1 knockout mice than in the wild type controls (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results imply that aquaporin 1 and caveolin 1 may share a distinct relation with the bladder signal activity. This might play a specific role in bladder dysfunction.