Interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a chronic condition with severe pelvic pain and urinary symptoms significantly impairing quality of life. This study investigated the clinical relevance of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) family in IC/BPS. Bladder biopsy samples were taken from 61 patients, including 42 Hunner-type IC, 11 non-Hunner type IC, and 8 controls without IC. Gene expression analysis revealed that mGluR2, mGluR3, and mGluR5 were significantly elevated in patients with IC/BPS compared to controls. Among these, mGluR5 showed the strongest association with pain severity, fibrosis, and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Patients with Hunner-type IC also exhibited increased expression of p65 and interleukin-1β, suggesting activation of inflammatory response modulation in IC/BPS. These findings suggest that mGluR5 may contribute to pain through immune response modulation in IC/BPS. Targeting mGluR5 could represent a promising therapeutic strategy to alleviate symptoms and improve patient quality of life.
Scientific reports. 2026 Mar 11 [Epub ahead of print]
Yeonjoo Kwak, Bohyun Kim, Jaekwon Seok, Moonjung Lee, Ssang-Goo Cho, Sehwan Kim, Hana Yoon, Aram Kim
Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology Major, School of Advanced Biotechnology, College of Institute of Science and Technology, Molecular & Cellular Reprogramming Center, Institute of Advanced Regenerative Science, Institute of Health, Aging & Society, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea., Department of Pathology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea., Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea., Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea., Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea., Department of Urology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. .