Ève Pellerin,Christophe Christophe,Emil Grammond,Stéphane Chabaud,Stéphane  Bolduc,Weronika Jakubowska,
Surgical Correction of Genitourinary Disorders Using the Self-Assembly Tissue Engineering
International Journal of Regenerative Medicine
2019
2613-5914
http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.RGM.2019.03.01
https://www.sciencerepository.org/surgical-correction-of-genitourinary-disorders-using-the-self-assembly-tissue-engineering_RGM-2019-3-101 
Abstract: Urologic and gynaecologic patients often manifest congenital and/or acquired tissue and organ dysfunctions
that require surgical reconstruction to recreate the normal genitourinary system functions. Such
reconstruction is still a challenge due to the limited availability of suitable tissues, especially for severe
urethral and vaginal replacement. Traditional intervention methods have varying degrees of donor site
morbidity or inherent side effects.
Interestingly, tissue engineering is a growing field that aims to replace or regenerate these dysfunctional
tissues and organs with autologous cells, biomaterials, or a combination of both. Experience gained from
tissue engineering suggests that the use of acellular matrices alone is not successful in supporting tissue
growth over large surfaces. Cellular constituents need to be isolated, cultured and grown in vitro on
scaffolds, then transplanted in vivo, in order to achieve successful three-dimensional tissue regeneration.
Biomaterials are the backbone for cell-seeded reconstruction of the genitourinary tissues. Several research
teams have explored a different cell culture approach based on self-assembly.
This innovative technique relies on the capacity of cells cultured in the presence of ascorbate to secrete and
deposit their own extracellular matrix forming a tissue-like substance. The mechanical and physical strength
properties of these reconstructed tissues are similar to that of natural native tissues in certain models. Tissue
engineered substitutes for urethral and vaginal mucosa were produced and subcutaneously grafted with
success opening the way to new therapeutic strategies to correct genitourinary defects.Keywords: Tissue engineering, urethra, vagina, urology, gynaecology, epithelium