Blocking PNPase to relieve chronic bladder pain
Official title: PNPase inhibition as an effective treatment for chronic bladder pain
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11369561 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores whether blocking the enzyme PNPase can reduce long-term bladder pain and painful flares in people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,571,034 |
| NIH project number | 4R01DK135076-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369561 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome who have chronic bladder pain and frequent stress-triggered flares would be the most likely candidates for related future treatments or trials.
✕Less likely to help
People whose bladder symptoms are caused by clearly identifiable problems such as ongoing infection, bladder cancer, or certain neurological bladder disorders may not benefit from a PNPase-targeted approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how chronic stress and oxidative damage worsen interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) using laboratory experiments and animal models that mimic pain flares. They are focusing on an enzyme called PNPase and testing whether inhibiting it lowers oxidative stress markers and pain signaling. The team hopes to identify a drug target that could prevent or reduce daily pain and urinary frequency. Although the current work is preclinical, the findings could guide the design of future human trials and treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to a new drug approach that reduces pain flares and urinary symptoms for people with IC/BPS.
How similar studies have gone: This is a relatively novel approach—current treatments for IC/BPS have limited effectiveness, and PNPase inhibition has not yet been proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Birder, Lori a — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Birder, Lori a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Elastomeric membranes for safer pelvic organ prolapse repair
A new 3D-printed elastomeric membrane made from polycarbonate urethane is being tested to replace stiff polypropylene meshes for pelvic organ prolapse in women, aiming to reduce complications.
-
Role of hyaluronan in egg development and ovarian reserve
This grant studies how the hyaluronan matrix in the ovary affects the aging of the female reproductive system and the pool of eggs available.
-
Regulatory switches that control imprinting in early human development
This grant studies how certain genes stay “one-copy” active in early development and what goes wrong in assisted reproduction, with a focus on imprinting disorders.
-
Identifying molecular signs of imprinting errors linked to fertility treatments
This grant studies how assisted reproductive technologies may cause imprinting errors in embryos and how these errors relate to certain birth conditions, with implications for families using infertility treatments.
-
Bioadhesive vaginal film for 7-day protection against HIV, HSV, and pregnancy
A vaginal film that slowly releases antibodies to prevent HIV, HSV, and unintended pregnancy for about a week from a single use.
-
Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation and culture in patients
Researchers are testing a way to transplant or grow sperm-producing cells back in boys and men who stored tissue before cancer treatment, to help them have biological children in the future.
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.