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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
11:46
Urinary Bladder Distention Evoked Visceromotor Responses as a Model for Bladder Pain in Mice
Published on: April 27, 2014
Angiogenesis, Angiogenic Factors, and Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS).
Naoki Yoshimura1, Akira Furuta2, Yuki Tobisawa3
1Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Summary
Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) involves angiogenesis, not just inflammation. Overexpression of angiogenic factors and microvessel changes are key to understanding IC/BPS subtypes and developing targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pathophysiology
- Angiogenesis Research
Background:
- Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is multifactorial, requiring pathophysiology-based phenotyping for effective treatment.
- IC/BPS is broadly categorized into Hunner-type interstitial cystitis (IC) with lesions and bladder pain syndrome (BPS) with minimal inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of angiogenic responses as a diagnostic criterion for IC/BPS phenotyping.
- To explore the correlation between angiogenic factor overexpression and IC/BPS symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of angiogenic growth factors (PD-ECGF, VEGF, CD31) in IC/BPS bladder tissue.
- Review of studies on glomerulations and mucosal bleeding in relation to angiogenic factors.
- Examination of animal models of IC/BPS involving inflammation and stress.
Main Results:
- Angiogenic factor overexpression (PD-ECGF, VEGF, CD31) correlates with symptom severity in both IC and BPS.
- Overexpression of angiogenic factors is linked to capillary vessel rupture and bleeding during hydrodistension.
- Upregulation of angiogenic factors and pathways observed in animal models of IC/BPS.
Conclusions:
- Angiogenic factor overexpression and immature microvessel formation are significant pathophysiological changes in IC/BPS.
- These angiogenic changes, alongside inflammation, can serve as crucial diagnostic criteria for advanced IC/BPS phenotyping.
- Further research into angiogenesis can lead to more tailored treatment strategies for IC/BPS patients.
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