Interstitial cystitis presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Although many
etiologies, including autoimmunity, have been proposed its pathogenesis remains obscure.
Tamm-Horsfall protein has been identified in the superficial urothelium of patients with
interstitial cystitis demonstrating abnormal urothelial permeability. Eight patients with a
clinical diagnosis of interstitial cystitis underwent cystoscopy and bladder biopsy.
Characteristic cystoscopic findings were present, and each patient had chronic inflammation …