title: The role of the bladder surface in interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a potentially severe and debilitating condition of the bladder. Numerous factors have been implicated in its pathogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review was conducted on the following topics: urothelium, mucosal lining, interstitial cystitis, bladder, and glycosaminoglycans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A commonly proposed cause for IC is a defect or alteration in the bladder surface leading to increased permeability to noxious urinary solutes and ultimately to tissue inflammation and neurogenic upregulation. Support for this concept is drawn from studies of the structure, function, and composition of the bladder surface. The cause(s) of this alteration is not known, although recent research has implicated changes in the levels of growth factors and/or compounds that protect against irritants and potentially "toxic" factors. The etiology of IC is likely multifactorial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alterations of the bladder surface are observed in IC, and may play an important role in the etiology of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, St. Paul's Hospital, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Joel M H
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Teichman
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moldwin
mesh_terms: D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019459:Urothelium / Q000503:physiopathology*