Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40038440›Full record

ArticleNature biomedical engineering2025

3D-printed perfused models of the penis for the study of penile physiology and for restoring erectile function in rabbits and pigs.

Zhenxing Wang, Xuemin Liu, Tan Ye, Zhichen Zhai, Kai Wu, Yudi Kuang, Serge Ostrovidov, Dan Shao, Yingjun Wang, Kam W Leong and 1 more

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Nature biomedical engineering, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. 2025 in review.Nature biomedical engineering · 2025
    Article
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Zhenxing Wang *National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-9871-0425
Xuemin Liu *The Third Affiliated Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5853-8116
Tan Ye *National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-4678-0813
Zhichen Zhai *National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4489-7812
Kai WuSchool of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4467-1597
Yudi KuangSchool of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7072-0797
Serge OstrovidovInstitute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering (IBB), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Chiyoda, Japan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4189-8086
Dan ShaoNational Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
Yingjun WangNational Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China. imwangyj@scut.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8218-9860
Kam W LeongDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. kam.leong@columbia.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8133-4955
Xuetao ShiNational Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China. shxt@scut.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3896-5097

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) 32301136National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) T2288101National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) U22A20157
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The intricate topology of vascular networks and the complex functions of vessel-rich tissues are challenging to reconstruct in vitro. Here we report the development of: in vitro pathological models of erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease; a model of the penis that includes the glans and the corpus spongiosum with urethral structures; and an implantable model of the corpus cavernosum, whose complex vascular network is critical for erectile function, via the vein-occlusion effect. Specifically, we 3D printed a hydrogel-based corpus cavernosum incorporating a strain-limiting tunica albuginea that can be engorged with blood through vein occlusion. In corpus cavernosum defects in rabbits and pigs, implantation of the 3D-printed tissue seeded with endothelial cells restored normal erectile function on electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerves as well as spontaneous erectile function within a few weeks of implantation, which allowed the animals to mate and reproduce. Our findings support the further development of 3D-printed blood-vessel-rich functional organs for transplantation.

Indexed as

Erectile DysfunctionPenile ErectionPenisPrinting, Three-DimensionalAnimalsEndothelial CellsHumansHydrogelsMalePenile IndurationRabbitsSwineHydrogels

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.