Endothelium-specific gene and stem cell-based therapy for erectile dysfunction

Asian J Androl. 2008 Jan;10(1):14-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2008.00362.x.

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) commonly results from endothelial dysfunction of the systemic vasculature. Although phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors are effective at treating most cases of ED, they must be taken routinely and are ineffectual for a meaningful number of men. In recent years gene and stem cell-based therapies targeted at the penile endothelium have been gaining momentum in preclinical studies. These early studies reveal that gene and stem cell-based therapies may be both enduring and efficacious, and may eventually lead to a cure for ED. The following review will highlight our current understanding of endothelial-specific gene and stem cell-based therapies performed to date in a number of experimental animal models.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Endothelial Cells
  • Endothelium, Vascular*
  • Erectile Dysfunction / therapy*
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / transplantation
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / genetics
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Superoxide Dismutase