Towards a Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence: Application of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Regeneration of the Sphincter Muscle

Journal of Clinical Medicine

Wilhelm K. Aicher³  Melanie L. Hart³  Jan Stallkamp²  Mario Klünder¹  Michael Ederer¹  Oliver Sawodny¹  Martin Vaegler³  Bastian Amend³  Karl D. Sievert³ 

[1] Department for Systems Dynamics, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart 70569, Germany; E-Mails:;FRAUNHOFER Institute, Klinikum Mannhein, Mannheim 68167, Germany; E-Mail:;KFO273, Department of Urology, University of Tuebingen Hospital, Tuebingen 72076, Germany; E-Mails:

关键词: mesenchymal stromal cells;    mesenchymal stem cells;    urinary stress incontinence;    stem cell application;    urodynamics;    cell injection techniques;   

DOI  :  10.3390/jcm3010197

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Stress urinary incontinence is a significant social, medical, and economic problem. It is caused, at least in part, by degeneration of the sphincter muscle controlling the tightness of the urinary bladder. This muscular degeneration is characterized by a loss of muscle cells and a surplus of a fibrous connective tissue. In Western countries approximately 15% of all females and 10% of males are affected. The incidence is significantly higher among senior citizens, and more than 25% of the elderly suffer from incontinence. When other therapies, such as physical exercise, pharmacological intervention, or electrophysiological stimulation of the sphincter fail to improve the patient’s conditions, a cell-based therapy may improve the function of the sphincter muscle. Here, we briefly summarize current knowledge on stem cells suitable for therapy of urinary incontinence: mesenchymal stromal cells, urine-derived stem cells, and muscle-derived satellite cells. In addition, we report on ways to improve techniques for surgical navigation, injection of cells in the sphincter muscle, sensors for evaluation of post-treatment therapeutic outcome, and perspectives derived from recent pre-clinical studies.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.