[Bladder interstitial cells and pathophysiology].

Bladder interstitial cell (IC) is a cell, which lacks thick filaments and dense bodies but with incomplete basement membrane, rough endoplasmic reticulum and golgi apparatus. IC is divided into 4 subtypes: lamina propria IC, intramuscular IC, IC between the detrusor bundles and perivascular IC. There are different ion currents and related activation pathways in the lamina propria IC and intramuscular IC. Ca2+ signaling pathways play an important role in the communication between IC and detrusor. Any bladder lesions affecting the ion current and Ca2+ signaling pathways can lead to bladder dysfunction. The bladder lesions include bladder outlet obstruction, bladder pain syndrome, interstitial cystitis, neurogenic bladder and diabetes. Imatinib mesylate is currently an available treatment target in IC, and electrical stimulation of acupuncture therapy is a new direction.