Suburothelial myofibroblasts in aging bladder
Official title: Suburothelial Myofibroblasts Function in Young and Aging Bladder
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11438260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study of how a specific bladder cell type changes with age and may contribute to common bladder symptoms in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $475,475 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG103494-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults experiencing aging-related bladder symptoms, including overactive bladder, may be eligible for future translational studies stemming from these findings.
✕Less likely to help
People without bladder symptoms or those outside the age-related context may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project focuses on suburothelial myofibroblasts, a type of interstitial cell in the bladder wall, and how their behavior and markers change as people age. Researchers will examine these cells’ roles in mechanosensing, spontaneous contractions, and potential links to overactive bladder symptoms seen in aging and diabetic bladders. Using newly identified molecular markers, the team will characterize protein expression and extracellular matrix factors that may influence bladder function in vivo and in laboratory models. The findings could reveal targets for therapies that address aging-related bladder dysfunction and LUTS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat aging-related bladder symptoms and improve quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has identified suMF markers and suggested a role in bladder function, but in vivo relevance and aging-specific changes remain to be established.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Weiqun — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Yu, Weiqun
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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.