Lower urinary tract phenotype of experimental autoimmune cystitis in mouse: a potential animal model for interstitial cystitis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To examine bladder function in a newly developed experimental autoimmune cystitis (EAC) model in female SWXJ strain mice, as a potential animal model for interstitial cystitis (IC). MATERIALS AND METHODS In all, 20 SWXJ female mice were divided into two groups: an EAC group immunized with mouse bladder homogenate in complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) and a control group immunized with CFA alone. At 4 months after injection, the bladder function of some mice (six) was studied with 24‐h micturition habits using metabolic cages and conscious cystometrography (CMG). The bladder and lung were harvested for histological examination and to assess interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) mRNA expression. RESULTS Histology examination showed obviously thickened lamina propria, infiltration of lymphocytes, giant cells, and increased mast cells in the detrusor muscle of the EAC mice. The lungs of EAC mice showed normal histology. The IFN‐γ mRNA expression increased significantly in the bladder, but not in the lung of the EAC mice. The 24‐h micturition habits measurements showed increased frequency of urination in the EAC mice compared with the controls. Similarly, CMG showed decreased intercontraction intervals and voided volumes per micturition in the EAC mice compared with the controls. However, there were no significant differences in peak voiding pressure or total voiding volume between the EAC and control mice. CONCLUSIONS Our murine EAC model has comparable functional and histological alterations to those seen in human IC, and may provide a useful model for the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of IC.

Evidence for the Role of Mast Cells in Cystitis-Associated Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain Research Network Animal Model Study

“…Experimental autoimmune cystitis (EAC) can be induced through immunization with bladder tissue components in rodents. These EAC models have been used to reproduce many clinical correlates of IC/BPS, offering a unique property for investigation of specific aspects of the disease such as cystitis pain and voiding dysfunction [10,23,24]. Using genetic engineering technology, we previously developed a transgenic EAC model (URO-OVA) that expresses the membrane form of the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) as a self-antigen on the urothelium and develops bladder inflammation at 7–14 days after adoptive transfer of OVA-specific T cells for cystitis induction [25,26].…”

Combination of bladder ultrasonography and novel cystometry method in mice reveals rapid decrease in bladder capacity and compliance in LPS-induced cystitis

“…Actually, the cystometric voided volume (VV) of the normal mouse varies widely between 29 and 168 l according to previous reports (9,17,23,24). However, these cystometric VVs are remarkably small compared with mouse spontaneous VVs estimated from voided spots on paper (ranging from 200 to 520 l) (12,16,22). It has been suggested that the low VV as measured by mouse cystometry can be attributed to the inhibition of bladder function caused by anesthesia (25), laparotomy, and bladder catheter placement.…”

Reviewing Interstitial Cystitis Models and Treatments: A Focus on the Urothelium

“…In SWXJ mice, the same immune challenge generates a similar immune IC with increased urination frequency, decreased volume per void, as well as lymphocytic infiltration and thickening of the lamina propria (32). A similar model with increased urinary frequency, mast cell accumulation and vascular congestion, has also been reported in Lewis rats by immunization with bladder homogenate (33).…”