DOES THE MAST-CELL HAVE AN INTRINSIC ROLE IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

In order to examine the role of mast cells in the inflammatory bladder disease interstitial cystitis, mast cells isolated from the human bla dder of normal and diseased tissue were challenged with a range of sec retagogues. Calcium ionophore A23187 and anti-IgE caused histamine rel ease from all bladder mast cells in a dose-related manner. Mast cells from the diseased tissue were far more responsive than those from the normal tissue. Mast cells from the muscle of normal bladder were respo nsive towards substance P and compound 48/80. However, mast cells from interstitial cystitis bladder did not release significant amounts of histamine with these two secretagogues.