OBJECTIVETo review the effect of stem cells in erectile dysfunction as well as their application to the therapy of erectile dysfunction.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in the present article were mainly from PubMed with relevant English articles published from 1974 to 2011. The search terms were "stem cells" and "erectile dysfunction".

STUDY SELECTIONArticles regarding the role of stem cells in erectile dysfunction and their application to the therapy of erectile dysfunction were selected.

RESULTSStem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine because of their ability to self-renew and to differentiate into various cell types. Meanwhile, in preclinical experiments, therapeutic gene-modified stem cells have been approved to offer a novel strategy for cell therapy and gene therapy of erectile dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONThe transplantation of stem cells has the potential to provide cell types capable of restoring normal function after injury or degradation in erectile dysfunction. However, a series of problems, such as the safety of stem cells transplantation, their application in cell therapy and gene therapy of erectile dysfunction need further investigation.