Genetic or pharmacologic disruption of the calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T-cells axis prevents social stress-induced voiding dysfunction in a murine model

ObjectiveSocial stress can suppress the voiding reflex, with resultant diminished voiding frequency and increased volumes. The calcineurin-NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) pathway is important in memory development. It was hypothesized that interruption of the calcineurin-NFAT pathway might prevent social stress-induced voiding dysfunction.MethodsMice were subjected to social stress in an established resident-intruder model for 1 h, followed by 23 h of barrier separation. NFATc3, NFATc4 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were studied. At two weeks, voiding patterns were collected; this was followed by sacrifice. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) mRNA expression in Barrington's nucleus (BN) was determined by in-situ hybridization.ResultsSocial stress decreased voiding frequency and increased voided volumes in WT strains. At baseline, NFATc3 KO mice showed decreased voids and increased volumes, while the NFATc4 KO mice resisted social stress. However, CRF mRNA increased in WT mice following social stress and was increased at baseline in NFATc3 KO mice. It was found that CRF mRNA did not increase following social stress in NFATc4 KO mice. The administration of CsA to WT mice normalized voiding patterns following social stress, albeit with no effect on CRF mRNA in BN.ConclusionDisrupting the calcineurin-NFAT axis by either genetic or pharmacologic approaches confers resistance to the development of social stress-induced voiding and dysfunction.