# Elucidating Roles of Distinct Spinal Cord Cell types in Mediating Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $625,060

## Abstract

Abstract
Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndromes (IC/BPS) are a debilitating painful condition with unknown etiology.
The cells and the circuits in the spinal cord that process non-noxious (bladder function) and noxious (intense
bladder pressure or discomfort) sensory information from the bladder is not well established. What specific
roles different spinal anatomical substrates play in processing pathological bladder sensations and voiding
dysfunction is unclear. In this proposal, we will test how distinct spinal cord cells that are activated by cystitis
are necessary for maladaptive micturition and bladder nociception. We will use chemogenetics and
optogenetics approaches to determine the precise roles the cystitis activated spinal cord cells play micturition
and bladder nociception. Furthermore, we will determine how this information is streamed to the distinct brain
regions. Finally, we propose to perform molecular description of genetically classified spinal cell populations
using transcriptomics and fluorescent in situ hybridization. These studies will lead to a cellular and functional
characterization of cystitis activated spinal cord cells and to a better understanding of how different symptoms
of cystitis are regulated in the spinal cord. These efforts will advance our understanding of spinal circuits in
cystitis and may enable development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of IC/BPS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10945850
- **Project number:** 1R01DK140445-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Vijay K Samineni
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $625,060
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-20 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10945850

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10945850, Elucidating Roles of Distinct Spinal Cord Cell types in Mediating Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS) (1R01DK140445-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10945850. Licensed CC0.

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