Experimental murine models of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: A review

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic enigmatic disease of the urinary bladder characterized by persistent bladder/pelvic pain in conjunction with lower urinary tract symptoms. IC/BPS is categorized as either Hunner-type IC (HIC) or BPS based on the presence/absence of the Hunner lesion, a reddish mucosal lesion in the bladder. HIC and BPS present with similar symptoms, however, the etiologies are completely different. Recent evidence suggests that HIC is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the urinary bladder. In contrast, BPS, other forms of HIC lacking Hunner lesions, is a minimally inflamed condition comprising various clinical phenotypes. Based on this evidence, basic research into IC/BPS has shifted to target each subtype of IC/BPS. Today, experimental murine models of autoimmune cystitis are used for HIC research, whereas models related to neurophysiological and psychosocial dysfunctions have been developed for BPS research. This emerging concept of a subtype-tailored approach may contribute to a better understanding of the full picture of IC/BPS, thereby improving current clinical management strategies and the development of novel therapies.