Transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells transfected with VEGF165 to restore erectile function in diabetic rats

The present study investigated the effect of transplanting endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) transfected with the vascular endothelial growth factor gene (VEGF165) into the corpora cavernosa of rats with diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED). A rat model of diabetic ED was constructed via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After streptozotocin treatment, pre-treated EPCs from each of three groups of rats were transplanted into their corpora cavernosa. Our results, following intracavernosal pressure (ICP) monitoring, showed that ICP increased significantly among rats in the trial group when compared to the results from rats in the blank-plasmid and control groups during basal conditions and electrical stimulation (P < 0.01 for both comparisons). Histological examination revealed extensive neovascularisation in the corpora cavernosa of rats in the trial group. Fluorescence microscopy indicated that many of the transplanted EPCs in the trial group survived, differentiated into endothelial cells and integrated into the sites of neovascularisation. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that transplantation of VEGF165-transfected EPCs into the corpora cavernosa of rats with diabetic ED restores erectile function. Asian Journal of Andrology (2011) 13, 332-338; doi:10.1038/aja.2010.116; published online 29 November 2010