Autorosette inhibition factor: a positive acute phase reactant in interstitial cystitis

Autorosette inhibition factor (AIF), complement C3d and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in urine were determined in 28 patients with painful bladder disease. In patients with interstitial cystitis (IC), diagnosed by the demonstration of detrusor mastocytosis, a positive correlation (r = 0.73, p less than 0.01) between AIF and C3d was found, whereas no reliable correlation was found in the remaining patients. The median concentration of urinary ECP was significantly elevated in the group of patients with IC whereas the median concentration of C3d was significantly elevated in both groups. AIF seems to behave as a positive acute phase reactant in IC. It is hypothesized that AIF may play a role in the pathogenesis of IC by influencing the normal barrier function of the epithelium of the bladder.