Lin Ching-Shwun, Xin Zhong-Cheng, Deng Chun-Hua, Ning Hongxiu, Lin Guiting, Lue Tom F
Knuppe Molecular Urology Laboratory, Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Asian J Androl. 2008 Mar;10(2):171-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2008.00389.x.
Stem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine because of their ability to self-renew and to differentiate into various cell types. Although embryonic stem cells (BSC) have greater differentiation potential than adult stem cells, the former is lagging in reaching clinical applications because of ethical concerns and governmental restrictions. Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) are the best-studied adult stem cells (ASC) and have the potential to treat a wide variety of diseases, including erectile dysfunction (ED) and male infertility. More recently discovered adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC) are virtually identical to bone marrow stem cells in differentiation and therapeutic potential, but are easier and safer to obtain, can be harvested in larger quantities, and have the associated benefit of reducing obesity. Therefore, ADSC appear to be a better choice for future clinical applications. We have previously shown that ESC could restore the erectile function of neurogenic ED in rats, and we now have evidence that ADSC could do so as well. We are also investigating whether ADSC can differentiate into Leydig, Sertoli and male germ cells. The eventual goal is to use ADSC to treat male infertility and testosterone deficiency.
干细胞因其自我更新和分化为各种细胞类型的能力，在再生医学领域具有巨大的潜力。尽管胚胎干细胞（ESC）比成体干细胞具有更大的分化潜能，但由于伦理问题和政府限制，前者在临床应用方面进展滞后。骨髓干细胞（BMSC）是研究最为深入的成体干细胞（ASC），有潜力治疗多种疾病，包括勃起功能障碍（ED）和男性不育症。最近发现的脂肪组织来源干细胞（ADSC）在分化和治疗潜力方面与骨髓干细胞几乎相同，但获取更容易、更安全，可以大量采集，并且具有减轻肥胖的额外益处。因此，ADSC似乎是未来临床应用的更好选择。我们之前已经表明，ESC可以恢复大鼠神经源性ED的勃起功能，现在我们也有证据表明ADSC也能做到这一点。我们还在研究ADSC是否能分化为睾丸间质细胞、支持细胞和雄性生殖细胞。最终目标是利用ADSC治疗男性不育症和睾酮缺乏症。
