Stem cell therapy in bladder dysfunction: where are we? And where do we have to go?

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Urology

Background:

• Stem cell therapy for bladder dysfunction is primarily experimental.
• Previous research focused on stem cell differentiation, but mechanisms like migration and paracrine effects are crucial.
• Bladder dysfunction encompasses conditions such as urinary bladder neck obstruction, overactive bladder, and neurogenic bladder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status of stem cell therapy for bladder dysfunction.
• To explore the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of stem cells in treating bladder dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Literature search using MESH keywords: "urinary bladder neck obstruction", "urinary bladder, overactive", "urinary bladder, neurogenic".
• Analysis of studies involving various bladder dysfunction models (e.g., outlet obstruction, diabetes, spinal cord injury).
• Review of stem cell types used, including adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), and skeletal muscle-derived stem cells (SkMSCs).

Main Results:

• Stem cell therapy's efficacy in bladder dysfunction is mainly demonstrated through experimental models.
• Key mechanisms include stem cell migration, differentiation, and paracrine signaling.
• ADSCs, BMSCs, and SkMSCs are frequently investigated for transplantation.

Conclusions:

• Stem cell therapy offers a potential therapeutic strategy for various bladder dysfunctions.
• Further research is needed to optimize stem cell applications and understand their full potential in bladder regeneration and functional restoration.