Current Progress of Tissue Engineering With Stem Cells in Urology Updated Review in 2025

Tissue engineering, a key component of regenerative medicine, aims to restore the structure and function of damaged organs using combinations of cells, scaffolds, and bioactive factors. In urology, the integration of stem cell biology has fueled significant progress in preclinical models for kidney, bladder, and urethral regeneration. Pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, offer broad differentiation potential, particularly in kidney organoid development. Meanwhile, multipotent stem cells-especially mesenchymal stem cells and urine-derived stem cells-have shown promise in bladder and urethral repair due to their immunomodulatory properties and relative ease of use. Despite these advancements, certain challenges remain: vascularization, functional integration, long-term safety, and scalability continue to limit the clinical application of regenerated organs. In kidney regeneration, issues such as nephron-collecting duct connectivity and urinary outflow remain unresolved. For the bladder and urethra, the need for vascularized, contractile, and innervated tissue complicates scaffold and cell selection. Nonetheless, clinical translation is becoming increasingly realistic. As the field evolves rapidly, it is essential for urologists to remain informed and actively engage in collaborative research. By integrating clinical expertise with basic science, urologists can play a crucial role in guiding regenerative strategies toward effective, patient-specific therapies.