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Published on: August 16, 2014
Poly-L-lactic acid/gelatin electrospun membrane-loaded bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuate erectile
Daoyuan Hu1, Chang Liu2, Yunlong Ge3
1Department of Urology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China.
Abstract:
Radical prostatectomy (RP) can cause neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED), which negatively affects the quality of life of patients with prostate cancer. Currently, there is a dearth of effective therapeutic strategies. Although stem cell therapy is promising, direct cell transplantation to injured cavernous nerves is constrained by poor cell colonization. In this study, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/gelatin electrospun membranes (PGEM) were fabricated to load bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) as a patch to be placed on injured nerves to alleviate ED. This study aimed to establish a promising and innovative approach to mitigate neurogenic ED post-RP and lay the foundation for modifying surgical procedures. Electrospinning and molecular biotechnology were performed in vitro and in vivo, respectively. It was observed that PGEM enhanced the performance of BM-MSCs and Schwann cells due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. The transplanted PGEM and loaded BM-MSCs synergistically improved bilateral cavernous nerve injury-related ED and the corresponding histopathological changes. Nevertheless, transplantation of BM-MSCs alone has been verified to be ineffective. Overall, PGEM can serve as an ideal carrier to supply a more suitable survival environment for BM-MSCs and Schwann cells, thereby promoting the recovery of injured cavernous nerves and erectile function.
Insights
This study developed a poly-L-lactic acid/gelatin electrospun membrane (PGEM) patch loaded with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy. The PGEM patch successfully improved nerve recovery and erectile function.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
- Urology
Background:
- Radical prostatectomy (RP) frequently causes neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED), significantly impacting patient quality of life.
- Current therapeutic options for post-RP ED are limited, and stem cell therapy faces challenges with cell colonization on injured nerves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/gelatin electrospun membrane (PGEM) loaded with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) as a therapeutic patch for neurogenic ED post-RP.
- To assess the efficacy of the PGEM-BM-MSC construct in promoting cavernous nerve repair and restoring erectile function.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PGEM using electrospinning and loading with BM-MSCs.
- In vitro and in vivo assessments of PGEM biocompatibility and enhancement of BM-MSC and Schwann cell performance.
- Evaluation of the synergistic effects of PGEM and BM-MSCs on cavernous nerve injury and erectile function in an animal model.
Main Results:
- PGEM demonstrated excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility, enhancing BM-MSC and Schwann cell performance.
- Transplantation of PGEM loaded with BM-MSCs significantly improved erectile function and reversed histopathological changes associated with cavernous nerve injury.
- BM-MSCs transplantation alone proved ineffective, highlighting the crucial role of the PGEM carrier.
Conclusions:
- PGEM serves as an effective carrier for BM-MSCs, providing a supportive microenvironment for cell survival and promoting cavernous nerve regeneration.
- This PGEM-BM-MSC approach offers a promising strategy to mitigate neurogenic ED following radical prostatectomy, potentially improving surgical outcomes.
