Stem cells: implications for urological tissue engineering

IntroductionTissue and organ replacement surgery often raises complications because the human immune system detects and antagonizes artificial prostheses and donor organs. Tissue replacement using autologous (cid, stem) cell-generated material may help to overcome these problems. ObjectivesThis review focuses on advances in regenerative therapies using stem cells in urology. MethodsWe used PubMed database searches to identify recent articles and review papers pertaining to stem cell research and urologic applications. ResultsTissue engineering and autologous cell therapy techniques have been developed to generate prostheses for different urological tissues and organ systems. The ability of adult and embryonic stem cells as well as progenitors to improve bladder wall architecture, improve renal tubule formation, or promote restoration of spermatogenesis or recovery of continence has been investigated in several animal models. Pluripotent stem cells can potentially be differentiated into any cell type and multipotent stem cells are variably lineage restricted. In the urologic literature, stem cell derived smooth muscles have been produced and may be useful for tissue-engineered constructs. ConclusionSeveral populations of adult stem cells and progenitor cells have been studied as useful cellular sources in the treatment and reconstruction of urological organs. However, considerable basic research still needs to be performed to ensure the controlled differentiation and long-term fate of stem cells following transplantation.

Keywords:

Stem cells , Urology , Tissue engineering