AN INVESTIGATION OF THE NATURE OF BLADDER MUCOSAL GLYCOCONJUGATES ANDTHEIR ROLE IN INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

The long-term objective of this study is to elucidate the role of blad der mucosal glycosaminoglycans and mucin glycoproteins in the developm ent of interstitial cystitis and other bladder diseases. Bladder biops ies and urine samples from patients and healthy controls were analyzed for glycoconjugates by biochemical and immunochemical methods. Due to the limited availability of human bladders for research purposes, det ailed analysis of rabbit bladders glycoconjugates were also carried ou t. Biochemical analysis of rabbit bladders indicate that while the maj or portion of the glycoconjugates in the urothelium is sialoglycoprote in, low levels of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are also imm unohistochemical data show very weak staining of the rabbit antiglycos aminoglycan antibodies. In contrast, the lamina propria and muscle lay ers stained intensely for chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. Thu s, the quantity of glycosaminoglycans associated with the bladder epit helial layer, particularly as extracellular matrix components on the l uminal surface of the bladder, appears insignificant. On the other han d, several lectins and anti-epitectin (a MUC1 sialoglycoprotein) antib odies showed strong staining of the luminal surface of rabbit and norm al human bladders. Further, preliminary results with anti-epitectin an tibodies reveal a weaker and patchy staining of biopsy specimens from interstitial cystitis patients compared to controls. The urinary level s of glycosaminoglycans and epitectin, in interstitial cystitis patien ts and healthy controls were determined by chemical or immunoassays. U rinary epitectin, but not glycosaminoglycans, was decreased in interst itial cystitis patients.