Tissue Engineering in Urology: Between Basic Research and Clinical Applications

Abstract

Tissue engineering follows the principles of cell and tissue culture, cloning and stem cell production, and materials science to develop biological substitutes, which could repair and maintain normal function. The biomaterials must be able to control the structure and function of engineered tissue by interacting with both transplanted and host cells. Either natural or synthetic biodegradable materials have been used as cell delivery scaffolds. The stem cell field is also advancing rapidly, opening new options for regenerative medicine. In the genitourinary system, tissue engineering has been applied experimentally for the reconstitution of pelvis, ureter, bladder, urethra, penile corpora cavernosa and testis. This literature review underlines recent advances that have occurred in tissue engineering and describes their clinical repercussions, particularly in offering novel therapies in urogenital pathology.