Correspondence
The importance of mast cells in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
Abstract
Dear Editors,
I am writing in response to the letter you sent to me from Sigril Regauer, MD, Professor of Pathology, regarding my commentary on mast cells in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). As Dr. Regauer points out in her letter “Overall, there is agreement that mast cells play an intricate role in pain syndromes and in particular in BPS/IC. Mast cells participate early in the disease development in nociceptive pain, e.g., sensitization of nerve fibers, and their products continue to perpetuate both acute and chronic pain, leading to the difficult-to-treat neuropathic pain. This situation makes mast cells an interesting therapeutic target.
I am writing in response to the letter you sent to me from Sigril Regauer, MD, Professor of Pathology, regarding my commentary on mast cells in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). As Dr. Regauer points out in her letter “Overall, there is agreement that mast cells play an intricate role in pain syndromes and in particular in BPS/IC. Mast cells participate early in the disease development in nociceptive pain, e.g., sensitization of nerve fibers, and their products continue to perpetuate both acute and chronic pain, leading to the difficult-to-treat neuropathic pain. This situation makes mast cells an interesting therapeutic target.
