Rat cavernous nerve reconstruction with CD133+ cells derived from human bone marrow.
Katsutoshi Miyamoto1, Shogo Inoue, Kanao Kobayashi
1Department of Urology, Institute of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine
|March 1, 2014
Summary
Transplanting human bone marrow-derived CD133+ cells significantly improved cavernous nerve regeneration and function in rats after injury. This approach promotes nerve recovery through blood vessel formation and growth factor release, offering a potential treatment for post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Urology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Erectile dysfunction is a common complication following pelvic surgeries, particularly radical prostatectomy.
- Cavernous nerve injury during surgery significantly impacts erectile function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of endothelial progenitor cells in regenerating cavernous nerves using a rat injury model.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of CD133+ cells for post-surgical erectile dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Surgical excision of cavernous nerves in male nude rats.
- Application of alginate gel sponge sheets with human bone marrow-derived CD133+ cells to nerve gaps.
- Comparison with sham-operated, nerve excision only, and alginate gel only groups.
- Functional, histological, and molecular evaluations at 4 and 12 weeks post-surgery.
Main Results:
- CD133+ cell transplantation significantly enhanced intracavernous pressure and neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression.
- Immunofluorescence confirmed CD133+ cell assimilation into vascular endothelial cells.
- Real-time PCR showed upregulation of nerve growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in the CD133+ cell group.
Conclusions:
- Transplantation of CD133+ cells promotes functional and histological recovery in cavernous nerve injury.
- The mechanism involves promoting angiogenesis and upregulating key growth factors.
- CD133+ cells represent a promising therapeutic option for cavernous nerve injury post-prostatectomy.
