Nerve injury-induced protein 1 (Ninjurin-1) is a novel therapeutic target for cavernous nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction in mice.

INTRODUCTION: Radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer can not only induce cavernous nerve injury (CNI) but also result in structural changes in the cavernous tissues. Nerve injury-induced protein 1, Ninjurin-1 (Ninj1), is known to be involved in neuroinflammatory processes and to be related to vascular regression during the embryonic period.

AIM: The study aims to determine whether and how Ninj1 neutralizing antibody (Ninj1-Ab) restores erectile function in mice with CNI.

METHODS: Twelve-week-old C57BL/6J mice were used and distributed into four groups: sham operation group and CNI groups receiving a single intracavernous injection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) control antibody, low-dose Ninj1-Ab (1.0 μg/20 μL), or high-dose Ninj1-Ab (2.5 μg/20 μL).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: One week after bilateral cavernous nerve crush, erectile function was measured by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. The penis was harvested for histologic examinations and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS: The cavernous expression of Ninj1 protein was upregulated up to 7 days after CNI and returned to baseline levels thereafter. Local delivery of Ninj1-Ab significantly increased penile neuronal nitric oxide synthase and neurofilament contents, induced cavernous endothelial proliferation and phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and decreased endothelial cell apoptosis in the CNI mice by upregulating angiopoietin-1 and downregulating angiopoietin-2. High-dose Ninj1-Ab induced profound restoration of erectile function in the CNI mice (91% of sham control values), whereas low-dose Ninj1-Ab elicited partial improvement.

CONCLUSION: The dual neurotrophic and angiogenic effects of Ninj1 blockade may provide a good opportunity for treating erectile dysfunction resulting from radical prostatectomy.