Differential neurodegenerative phenotypes are associated with heterogeneous voiding dysfunction in a coronavirus-induced model of multiple sclerosis

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 26;9(1):10869. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-47407-x.

Abstract

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) develop a variety of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We previously characterized a murine model of neurogenic bladder dysfunction induced by a neurotropic strain of a coronavirus. In the present study, we further study the role of long-lasting neurodegeneration on the development of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in mice with corona-virus induced encephalitis (CIE). Long-term follow up study revealed three phenotypes of neurodegenerative symptom development: recovery (REC group), chronic progression (C-PRO group) and chronic disease with relapsing-remitting episodes (C-RELAP group). The levels of IL-1β in REC group, IL-10 in C-RELAP group, and IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in C-PRO group were diminished in the brain. The levels of TNF-α in REC group and INF-γ, IL-2, TGF-β and TNF-α in the C-PRO group were also diminished in the urinary bladder. Mice in C-RELAP group showed a delayed recovery of voiding function. In vitro contractility studies determined a decreased basal detrusor tone and reduced amplitude of nerve-mediated contractions in C-RELAP group, whereas C-PRO group had elevated muscle-mediated contractions. In conclusion, mice with CIE developed three phenotypes of neurologic impairment mimicking different types of MS progression in humans and showed differential mechanisms driving neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Coronavirus Infections / physiopathology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / metabolism
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / physiopathology*
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / virology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / analysis
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / etiology*
  • Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Murine hepatitis virus*
  • Phenotype*
  • Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / etiology*
  • Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins