Alterations in Expression of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and VEGF by Idiopathic Overactive Bladder Urothelial Cells During Stretch Suggest Role for Hypoxia

OAB BUCs responded to stretch by expressing increased angiogenic markers, HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and/or VEGF, measured at the transcript and protein levels. This suggests that OAB BUCs respond as if they were primed by hypoxia. This knowledge adds to the pathophysiologic understanding of OAB.