Stem Cells In Tissue Engineering And Cell Therapies Of Urological Defects

Objectives: This chapter focuses on advances in regenerative therapies using stem cells in urology. Different stem cell types will he introduced due to their classification and hierarchic order.Methods: A detailed literature search has been performed using the PubMed database of the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Publications of experimental investigations and in vivo trials using stem cells in reconstructive urology have been summarized and critically reviewed.Results: Tissue engineering and autologous cell therapy techniques have been developed in order to generate prostheses for different urologic tissues and organ systems. During the last decade increasing numbers of studies have described stem cells in the context of therapeutic tools. The ability of adult and embryonic stem cells as well as progenitors to improve bladder wall architecture, to improve renal tubule formation or to promote restoration of spermatogenesis or recovery of continence has been investigated in a number of animal models. Another promising stem cell source, the so-called induced pluripotent stem cells, was recently generated, hut not further investigated yet. Although results have been encouraging, to date, none of these stem cell-based therapies could reach clinical trials.Conclusions: Review of the current literature has revealed several populations of adult stem cells and progenitor cells as useful cellular sources in the treatment and reconstruction of urologic organs. However, considerable basic research still needs to be performed to ensure the controlled differentiation and long-term fate of stem cells following transplantation.