Status, challenges, and future prospects of stem cell therapy in pelvic floor disorders

Figure 1 Application of stem cells for the treatment of pelvic floor disorders and the possible underlying mechanisms. Stem cell synergistic cytokines and growth factors or the combination with meshes can promote the differentiation of stem cells into fibroblast-like cells and smooth muscle cells, thus improving neo-tissue regeneration and repairing the damaged tissue/fascia. Stem cells stimulate collagen synthesis and metabolism, cell migration, proliferation, neovascularization, and anti-inflammatory effects to facilitate repair of the pelvic floor by secreting exosomes or recruiting macrophages and leukocytes. SMC: Smooth muscle cells; TGF-β1: Transforming growth factor-β1; VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor; bFGF: Basic fibroblast growth factor; PDGF-β: Platelet-derived growth factor-β; CTGF: Connective tissue growth factor.