For these studies, BCG was chosen to induce cystitis because it is known to: a) provoke a significant increase in VEGF expression in the urinary bladder [32], b) cause profound inflammation that is dependent on the VEGF pathway [33], c) up-regulate the urothelial expression of VEGF receptors and NRPs [23], and d) induce IL-17 up-regulation [33] and its receptors that are necessary for nerve regeneration [34]. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and cystitis.