The protective role of Schwann cells in bladder smooth muscle cell fibrosis.

Bladder fibrosis is characterized by collagen deposition within bladder walls. Neurogenic lesions are an important contributor to this balder dysfunction. Schwann cells are a kind of glial cell in the peripheral nervous system. However, the role of the cells in bladder fibrosis has received little attention among researchers. Female SD rats were employed in this study to establish a fibrosis model using denervation. Histologically, the fibrosis was evaluated using H&E staining and Masson's staining. CTGF expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, the role of Schwann cells in fibrosis was evaluated using a co-culture with bladder smooth cells and exposure to CTGF. After denervation, the bladder fibrosis was observed in a time-dependent manner, and this was accompanied by an increase in CTGF and a decrease in BDNF. After exposure to CTGF, α-SMA, and collagen I and III were significantly increased in the bladder smooth muscle cells. These were significantly inhibited after co-culture with Schwann cells. Furthermore, a significant increase in BDNF was observed in the co-culture. Schwann cells significantly ameliorated the fibrosis of the bladder smooth muscle cells, and this might be associated with the secretion of BDNF.