Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome and the absence of the α3 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit

BACKGROUND & AIMS The megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is a rare disease of childhood that presents early with intestinal hypoperistalsis, hydronephrosis, and hydroureters. Transgenic mice that lack the alpha3 subunit containing nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChR) have a phenotype similar to that of MMIHS. METHODS We examined the expression of this subunit in control and MMIHS tissue derived from patients using in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunocytochemistry (ICC). RESULTS In controls, both techniques showed a wide distribution of alpha3 nAChRs present in ganglion cells, muscle, and epithelium. By contrast, most MMIHS tissue gave negative staining with ISH and variable results with ICC. CONCLUSIONS These observations are consistent with a lack of alpha3 nAChRs contributing to the pathogenesis of MMIHS.