Inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylation protects from cyclophosphamide-induced bladder injury and urinary dysfunction

Abstract

Disruption of the blood-urine barrier can result in acute or chronic inflammatory bladder injury. Here, we demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-prolyl hydroxylation prevented bladder injury and protected from urinary dysfunction in a mouse model of cyclophosphamide-induced disruption of the blood-urine barrier. Our study highlights a potential role for HIF-activating small-molecule compounds in the prevention or therapy of bladder injury and urinary dysfunction and provides a rationale for future clinical studies.