Potential targeting of siglecs, mast cell inhibitory receptors, in interstitial cystitis.

Mast cell increases and activation are detected in the chronic inflammatory bladder disease interstitial cystitis (IC), and their proinflammatory mediators are felt to contribute to regional pelvic pain and inflammatory pathophysiology. The immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif-containing sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) expressed in mast cells could be evaluated as in vivo signaling regulators capable of inhibiting IC-related mast cell activation.