Intratunical Injection of Genetically Modified Adipose Tissue‐Derived Stem Cells with Human Interferon α‐2b for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Tunica Albugineal Fibrosis

IntroductionPeyronie's disease (PD) has frequently been associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) and may further compromise coitus.AimTo investigate the efficacy of intratunical injection of genetically modified rat adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) expressing human interferon α‐2b (ADSCs‐IFN) in decreasing fibrosis and restoring erectile function in a rat model of tunica albugineal fibrosis (TAF).MethodsA total of 36 Sprague‐Dawley rats (12 weeks old; 300–350 g) were randomly divided in six equal groups: (i) sham group (50 μL saline‐injected into the tunica albuginea [TA]); (ii) TAF group (transforming growth factor [TGF]‐β1 [0.5 μg/50 μL] injected into the TA); (iii) TGF‐β1 plus 5 × 105 control ADSCs injected same day; (iv) TGF‐β1 plus 5 × 105 ADSCs‐IFN injected same day; (v) TGF‐β1 plus 5 × 105 control ADSCs injected after 30 days; and (vi) TGF‐β1 plus 5 × 105 ADSCs‐IFN injected after 30 days. Rat allogeneic ADSCs were harvested from inguinal fat tissue.Main Outcome MeasuresForty‐five days following the TGF‐β1 injection, erectile function was assessed, and penile tissues were harvested for further evaluations.ResultsIn the same‐day injection groups, intratunical injection of ADSCs and ADSC‐IFN improved erectile response observed upon stimulation of cavernous nerve compared with TAF group. Intratunical ADSC‐IFN injection at day 30 improved erectile responses 3.1, 1.8, and 1.3 fold at voltages of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.0, respectively, when compared with TAF group. Furthermore, at voltages of 2.5 and 5.0, treatment on day 30 with ADSCs‐IFN improved erectile responses 1.6‐ and 1.3‐fold over treatment with ADSCs alone. Local injection of ADSCs or ADSCs‐IFN reduced Peyronie's‐like manifestations, and these effects might be associated with a decrease in the expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases.ConclusionThis study documents that transplantation of genetically modified ADSCs, with or without human IFN α‐2b, attenuated Peyronie's‐like changes and enhanced erectile function in a rat model of TAF. Gokce A, Abd Elmageed ZY, Lasker GF, Bouljihad M, Braun SE, Kim H, Kadowitz PJ, Abdel‐Mageed AB, Sikka SC, and Hellstrom WJ. Intratunical injection of genetically modified adipose tissue‐derived stem cells with human interferon α‐2b for treatment of erectile dysfunction in a rat model of tunica albugineal fibrosis. J Sex Med 2015;12:1533–1544.