Peyronie's disease, a fibroinflammatory disorder, detrimentally impacts the sexual well-being of men and their partners. The manifestation of fibrotic plaques within penile tissue, attributed to dysregulated fibrogenesis, is pathognomonic for this condition. The onset of fibrosis hinges on the perturbation of the equilibrium between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), crucial enzymes governing the extracellular matrix, and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). In the context of Peyronie's disease, there is an elevation in TIMP levels coupled with a decline in MMP levels, culminating in fibrogenesis. Despite the scant molecular insights into fibrotic pathologies, particularly in the context of Peyronie's disease, a comprehensive literature search spanning 1995 to 2023, utilizing PubMed Library, was conducted to elucidate these mechanisms. The findings underscore the involvement of growth factors such as FGF and PDGF, and cytokines like IL-1 and IL-6, alongside PAI-1, PTX-3, HIF, and IgG4 in the fibrotic cascade. Given the tissue-specific modulation of fibrosis, comprehending the molecular underpinnings of penile fibrosis becomes imperative for the innovation of novel and efficacious therapies targeting Peyronie's disease. This review stands as a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians engaged in investigating the molecular basis of fibrotic diseases, offering guidance for advancements in understanding Peyronie's disease.
International journal of impotence research. 2024 Mar 07 [Epub ahead of print]
Ali Şahin, Huseyn Babayev, Lorenzo Cirigliano, Mirko Preto, Marco Falcone, Emre Altıntas, Murat Gül
Selcuk University School of Medicine, 42250, Konya, Turkey., Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, 7265, Davos, Switzerland., Department of Urology, Molinette Hospital, University of Torino, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy., Department of Urology, Selcuk University School of Medicine, 42250, Konya, Turkey., Department of Urology, Molinette Hospital, University of Torino, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy. .