Angiotensin II and bladder pain/frequency in IC/BPS
Role of Angiotensin II in Bladder Dysfunction
This project looks at whether the hormone angiotensin II makes bladder pain, urgency, and fibrosis worse in people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173858 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a person with IC/BPS, this research examines how angiotensin II — a hormone best known for controlling blood pressure — may drive bladder inflammation, scarring, and nerve sensitivity. The team will use animal models and bladder tissue studies to track oxidative stress, immune cell activation (including mast cells), fibrosis, and nerve signaling linked to angiotensin pathways. They will manipulate angiotensin receptors and related enzymes to see whether changing this signaling reduces markers of pain and bladder dysfunction. Results may point toward targeting angiotensin signaling with existing or new therapies to ease symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, particularly those experiencing frequent urination, nocturia, bladder fibrosis, or chronic pelvic pain.
Not a fit: People without IC/BPS or whose urinary symptoms are caused by other identified urologic conditions may not benefit from findings of this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new treatment targets or repurpose blood-pressure drugs to reduce bladder pain, urgency, and fibrosis in IC/BPS patients.
How similar studies have performed: Angiotensin signaling has been linked to fibrosis and pain in heart, kidney, and lung studies and some animal-model data suggest bladder effects, but direct work on angiotensin in IC/BPS is relatively limited.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mickle, Aaron David — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Mickle, Aaron David
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.