# Regulation of Bladder Structure and Function by Micro-RNA29

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2021 · $673,087

## Abstract

MicroRNA-29 (miR-29) has been demonstrated in the lung, liver, heart, and skin to inhibit formation of
increased extracellular matrix and interstitial fibrosis. Preliminary data indicate fibrosis and bladder dysfunction
in mice with global loss of miR-29a/b1. Minimal data are available regarding the role of miR-29a/b1 in
maintaining bladder homeostasis or preventing or reversing bladder fibrosis and associated bladder
dysfunction. Increased fibrosis of the bladder wall, and concomitant deterioration of bladder function, have
been observed in patients with bladder outlet obstruction, neurogenic bladder disorders, after radiation therapy,
chronic inflammation, and accompanying aging. Nearly complete loss of miR-29a was observed in bladder
tissue obtained from men undergoing partial prostatectomy to treat bladder outlet obstruction associated with
benign prostatic hyperplasia compared to abundant miR-29a expression in normal male human bladder tissue.
This research will delineate modulation by miR-29a of signaling processes resulting in bladder fibrosis and
derangement of bladder function in mice. The research will further determine whether or not these changes are
the result of specific loss of miR-29a/b1 in the bladder and whether adverse changes in bladder function and
structure induced by partial bladder outlet obstruction can be reversed by restoration of miR-29a. These
experiments have significant translational potential. Various microRNAs are currently being used in clinical
trials to treat a variety of disorders. Treatment of bladder fibrosis and loss of normal bladder function using
miR-29 represents an entirely novel therapeutic approach for disorders that currently lack effective treatment
options.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10146364
- **Project number:** 5R01DK118145-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Dale Edmond Bjorling
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $673,087
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-05 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10146364

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10146364, Regulation of Bladder Structure and Function by Micro-RNA29 (5R01DK118145-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10146364. Licensed CC0.

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