Gene and stem cell therapy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension; potential treatments for the common problem of endothelial dysfunction.

Abstract

The endothelium has an important regulatory role in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis, vascular tone, blood flow, and in preserving a non-thrombogenic blood-tissue interface. Injury to the vascular wall with subsequent endothelial dysfunction alters these important regulatory functions leading to a state of abnormal endothelial function. In this paper, we review the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction and how this disorder is common to the development of erectile dysfunction and of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Current medical therapies for these two disorders are discussed followed by a review of the preclinical studies involving currently available strategies for gene and stem cell therapy and their potential for the clinical treatment of these two disorders of endothelial dysfunction.