[henotypic modulation of corporal cavernosum smooth muscle cells and erectile dysfunction: Advances in studies]

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is closely related with the phenotypic modulation of corporal cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMC), a transitional tendency of CCSMCs switching from the contractile phenotype to the synthetic or proliferative phenotype. The molecular markers of contractile CCSMCs include α-SMA, SMMHC, Calponin, Smoothelin, and Desmin, while those of synthetic or proliferative CCSMCs involve Vimentin, Osteopontin, and Collagen I. Current studies show that phenotypic transformation of CCSMCs is related to the pathophysiological processes of different types of ED, such as bilateral cavernous nerve injury-induced ED, diabetes mellitus-associated ED, arterial ED, hypertension-associated ED, and so on. In addition, such external factors as hypoxia, platelet-derived growth factor, and tobacco combustion gas may directly affect rats or CCSMCs and consequently lead to phenotypic conversion of CCSMCs. This article presents a systematic review of the studies on the correlation of phenotypic transition of CCSMCs with ED.