The study focuses on the development of Cajal-like cells during pregnancy in a pig model.

Cajal-like cells are attributed to a pacemaker-like function and are found in several parts of the body.

The same pig model will be used to study the development of aquaporins - proteins that are responsible for transporting water - both in the kidney but also in the ureter and bladder. The idea behind this part of the project is to identify whether the aquaporins are expressed in the urothelium (or possibly deeper in the tissue), together with whether this expression changes during the gestation period. In rodents, an upward adjustment of some of the aquaporins has been seen as a result of dehydration or obstruction, and it could be that this is also the case with urethral valves in boys. The latter group is part of the clinical study of video-urodynamic examinations.

In connection with this, a collaboration has been established with the paediatric urology departments at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) London, Ghent, Utrecht & Amsterdam. A clinical database is planned for this condition.

Project responsibility: Lotte Kaasgaard Jakobsen

Principal supervisor: Professor, Consultant, DMSc, PhD Henning Olsen