Position: Associate Research Professor Education: Saint Louis University, MS, 1985 Office: Schwitalla Hall Email Address: rickarda@slu.edu CV: Alice Rickard, M.S.

Alice Rickard, M.S.

Clinical/Research Interests:

Inflammation and mast cell biology
 

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder disease with an unknown etiology. Characteristics of the disease include suprapubic pain, urinary urgency, and increased frequency of urination. Other symptoms include allergies, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic somatic pain. It has been estimated that approximately one million people in the United States suffer from interstitial cystitis. A subset of interstitial cystitis patients have increased mast cell numbers in their bladders, many of which appear to be activated. Mast cells contain proteases, including tryptase. We are currently working on endothelial and epithelial cells in the microvasculature and urothelium, respectively. In our urothelial cell model we are currently characterizing the tight junction at the structural protein level, based on claudin, occluding, and junction adhesion content. Ongoing and future studies will look at the effects of tryptase on cell permeability and integrity in both the endothelial and epithelial cells. Further, we have initiated studies to explore the process of urothelial differentiation and maturation.