Tissue engineering and stem cell application of urethroplasty: from bench to bedside

Abstract

Objective: To review the advances in the basic research and clinical application of tissue engineering and stem cell technology in urethral reconstruction. Urethral defects resulting from congenital malformations, trauma, inflammation, or cancer are a common urologic issue. Traditional urethral reconstruction is associated with various complications. Tissue engineering and stem cell technology hold novel therapeutic promise for urethral reconstruction.

Methods: One of us searched the PubMed database (January 1999 to January 2011) using the English search terms "tissue engineering," "stem cells," "urethral reconstruction," and "urethra." A total of 86 reports were retrieved. After the repetitive and irrelevant reports were excluded, 40 were included in the final analysis. The review outlined and evaluated the advances in basic research and clinical application and the current status and prospects of tissue engineering and stem cell technology in urinary reconstruction.

Results: Two therapeutic strategies are available for urethral reconstruction using tissue engineering: the acellular matrix bioscaffold model and the cell-seeded bioscaffold model. The acellular matrix bioscaffold model has been successfully used in the clinic and the cell-seeded bioscaffold model is making its transition from bench to bedside.

Conclusion: Stem cells can provide the seed cells for urologic tissue engineering, but much basic research is still needed before their clinical use is possible.