Figure 6. MiR-29 depletion by genetic deletion of Dicer in smooth muscle increases detrusor stiffness in Ca²⁺-free conditions.

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (n=5-7) for miR-29b (A), miR-29c (B) and elastin (Eln, C) in control (Ctrl) and Dicer knockout (KO) mouse bladders. Electron micrographs from control (D) and Dicer KO (E) detrusor. SMC: smooth muscle cell; N: neural varicosity. White arrowheads point to elastin fibrils. Scale bars represent 1 µm. Quantitative morphometry of collagen fibril diameters (F) and basal membrane thickness (G). (H) Western blots for Eln, Gapdh and Cav1 in detrusors from control and smooth muscle-specific Dicer knockout (KO) mice. Summarized data on Eln expression in control and Dicer KO bladders (I, n=12). (J) Passive circumference-stress curves in Dicer KO and control bladder strips (n=12). (K) Passive circumference-stress relations in control and elastase-treated rat detrusor strips (n=4).