I can't resist passing on these abstracts describing work reported by a large number of researchers at South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus. I wonder if the results obtained with both both rat and beagle ED models will eventually prove relevant to 82 year old retired professors?
Significance
Erectile
dysfunction (ED), a prevalent form of sexual dysfunction, significantly
affects fertility and quality of life. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)
therapies show promise for ED treatment, yet challenges such as low
tissue retention and poor MSC survival in corpus cavernosum tissue limit
their efficacy. In this study, we introduce a shape-adaptive and
reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging microrobot designed to overcome
the challenges of vascularization and optimize MSC delivery. The
microrobot enhances MSC retention and survival in corpus cavernosum
tissue. In both rat and beagle models of ED, treatment with MSC-laden
microrobots (MSC-Rob) promoted restored erectile function. Our results
indicate that ED could be reversed via this approach, providing a
promising outlook for its feasibility in human applications.
Abstract
Erectile
dysfunction (ED) is a major threat to male fertility and quality of
life, and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic
option. However, therapeutic outcomes are compromised by low MSC
retention and survival rates in corpus cavernosum tissue. Here, we
developed an innovative magnetic soft microrobot comprising an ultrasoft
hydrogel microsphere embedded with a magnetic nanoparticle chain for
MSC delivery. This design also features phenylboronic acid groups for
scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). With a Young’s modulus of less
than 1 kPa, the ultrasoft microrobot adapts its shape within narrow
blood vessels, ensuring a uniform distribution of MSCs within the corpus
cavernosum. Our findings showed that compared with traditional MSC
injections, the MSC delivery microrobot (MSC-Rob) significantly enhanced
MSC retention and survival. In both rat and beagle ED models, MSC-Rob
treatment accelerated the repair of corpus cavernosum tissue and
restored erectile function. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq)
revealed that MSC-Rob treatment facilitates nerve and blood vessel
regeneration in the corpus cavernosum by increasing the presence of
regenerative macrophages. Overall, our MSC-Rob not only advances the
clinical application of MSCs for ED therapy but also broadens the scope
of microrobots for other cell therapies.