Human rhabdosphincter cell culture: a model for videomicroscopy of cell contractions

BACKGROUND: Physiology of the human rhabdosphincter and its innervation are still a subject to controversy. A better understanding of rhabdosphincter function and anatomy might help to solve important urological problems like urinary incontinence. It was the aim of the present study to develop a human sphincter cell culture model for investigation of contraction mechanisms in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS Cells were isolated from human rhabdosphincter tissue obtained from prostatectomy and cystoprostatectomy specimens. Cultured cells expressed typical features of striated muscle cells. By means of videomicroscopy with a time lapse videosystem cell contractions could be documented. Under control conditions without any contractile stimulant 8% of the cells were seen to contract. Cholinergic stimulation with 10 mM of acetylcholine induced a significant increase in contraction rate to 49%. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that cholinergic stimulation triggers contraction of cultured human rhabdosphincter cells. This model might help to understand external urethral sphincter physiology and to establish new therapies for the treatment of sphincter dysfunctions. Prostate 47:189-193, 2001.