How bladder lining cells talk to nerves
Urothelial Cells and Sensory Signaling
Researchers use light to activate bladder-lining cells in mice to learn how those cells send signals of fullness and pain that matter to people with bladder disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176993 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a new mouse model that lets them turn on specific cells in the bladder lining with light (optogenetics) to see which sensory nerves respond. They will compare nerve and cellular responses in healthy and inflamed bladders to mimic painful conditions. Small-animal functional MRI will be used to map which brain regions become active during this stimulation and during bladder stretching. The goal is to identify the exact nerve types and brain pathways that carry bladder sensations so future treatments can target them more precisely.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with bladder pain syndromes, overactive bladder, recurrent bladder infections, or chemotherapy-related bladder symptoms would be the population most likely to benefit from findings of this work.
Not a fit: People with unrelated kidney disease or non-bladder pelvic conditions are less likely to benefit directly from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new, more targeted treatments for bladder pain, overactive bladder, and other sensation-related bladder disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Past research supports a role for bladder-lining cells in signaling to nerves, but using optogenetics paired with nerve mapping and MRI to define the exact sensory neurons and brain circuits is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mickle, Aaron David — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Mickle, Aaron David
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.