In Vivo Model Development for Interstitial Cystitis

Protheragen offers a comprehensive in vivo animal model development service for interstitial cystitis (IC), supporting preclinical research and therapeutic evaluation. Our service portfolio encompasses a diverse range of validated rodent models, tailored to accurately reflect the pathophysiology of IC and facilitate the translational success of novel interventions.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic, debilitating condition characterized by pelvic pain and urinary symptoms, lacking fully effective treatments. Robust animal models are essential for elucidating disease mechanisms and assessing therapeutic strategies. Protheragen utilizes both Mus musculus (mouse, including the widely used C57BL/6 strain) and Rattus norvegicus (rat, Sprague Dawley strain) to develop models that closely mimic human IC pathology. These species are chosen for their genetic tractability, well-characterized immune systems, and established relevance in urological research, enabling high translational value for preclinical drug discovery.

Chemically-Induced Models

Chemically-induced models represent the cornerstone of preclinical IC research. These models are established by intravesical or systemic administration of chemical agents such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), cyclophosphamide, protamine sulfate, furosemide, resiniferatoxin, or lipopolysaccharide, which induce bladder inflammation, urothelial damage, and pain responses analogous to human IC. The methodology allows for precise control over disease onset and severity. Key advantages include reproducibility, rapid induction of symptoms, and the ability to model various pathophysiological aspects of IC. These models are widely used for evaluating drug efficacy, mechanistic studies, and biomarker identification.

Mechanically-Induced Models

Mechanically-induced models involve the application of physical stimuli to the bladder, such as overdistension or catheterization, to provoke urothelial injury and subsequent inflammation. This approach can be used alone or in combination with chemical agents (e.g., PAR4-activating peptide in mice or cyclophosphamide in rats) to enhance disease relevance. The main advantages are the ability to mimic trauma-related IC subtypes and assess the contribution of mechanical factors to disease progression. These models are particularly useful for studying pain mechanisms and evaluating therapies targeting bladder hypersensitivity.

Biologically-Induced Models

Biologically-induced models utilize biological agents, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to trigger immune-mediated bladder inflammation. For example, intravesical instillation of LPS in Sprague Dawley rats induces robust inflammatory responses, closely resembling infection-associated IC. These models offer the advantage of simulating immune and inflammatory pathways implicated in human disease and are instrumental for testing immunomodulatory treatments, exploring host-pathogen interactions, and investigating chronic inflammation in the bladder.

Protheragen delivers a full-spectrum solution for interstitial cystitis animal model development, from model selection and induction to endpoint analysis and data interpretation. We provide customizable study designs to meet specific research objectives, including acute and chronic IC models in both mice and rats. Key efficacy endpoints include bladder histopathology, micturition frequency, pain behavior assessment, urothelial permeability, inflammatory cytokine profiling, and molecular biomarker analysis. Our analytical capabilities encompass immunohistochemistry, ELISA, qPCR, Western blotting, and advanced imaging techniques. Rigorous quality control measures are implemented at every stage, ensuring data reliability, reproducibility, and compliance with ethical standards.

Partnering with Protheragen guarantees access to scientifically robust, validated animal models and expert support throughout your interstitial cystitis research program. Our tailored approach accelerates preclinical development, enhances translational relevance, and empowers your team to make informed, data-driven decisions. Contact us today to discuss your project needs and discover how our in vivo modeling expertise can advance your IC therapeutic pipeline.