NK1R/SP expression was lower in Tlr4−/− and Il1b−/− mice than in C56BL/6WT controls but in Asc−/− and Nlrp3−/− mice, NK1R over-activation accompanied the exaggerated disease phenotype, due, in part to transcriptional de-repression of Tacr1. Pharmacologic NK1R inhibitors attenuated acute cystitis in susceptible mice, supporting a role in disease pathogenesis. Here, TACR1 is linked to acute cystitis.