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Unveiling the molecular Hallmarks of Peyronie’s disease: a comprehensive narrative review

International Journal of Impotence Research (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

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.

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Fig. 1: TGFβ binds to its receptor, which consists of a heterotetrameric structure, and facilitates the phosphorylation of SMAD2 or SMAD3 present in the cytoplasm, leading to the formation of the heterotrimeric SMAD2/3-SMAD4 complex.
Fig. 2: The role of PDGF receptors and signaling pathway in Peyronie’s disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Selcuk University School of Medicine, 42250, Konya, Turkey

    Ali Şahin

  2. Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, 7265, Davos, Switzerland

    Huseyn Babayev

  3. Department of Urology, Molinette Hospital, University of Torino, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy

    Lorenzo Cirigliano, Mirko Preto, Marco Falcone & Murat Gül

  4. Department of Urology, Selcuk University School of Medicine, 42250, Konya, Turkey

    Emre Altıntas & Murat Gül

Authors
  1. Ali Şahin
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  2. Huseyn Babayev
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  3. Lorenzo Cirigliano
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  4. Mirko Preto
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  5. Marco Falcone
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  6. Emre Altıntas
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  7. Murat Gül
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Contributions

Murat Gül had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: Gül, Şahin. Acquisition of data: Babayev, Şahin, Cirigliano, Altıntaş. Analysis and interpretation of data: Preto, Şahin, Babayev. Drafting of the manuscript: Şahin, Babayev, Gül. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Falcone, Gül. Statistical analysis: Şahin, Altıntaş, Babayev. Obtaining funding: None. Administrative, technical, or material support: None. Supervision: Gül, Falcone. Other: None.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Murat Gül.

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Şahin, A., Babayev, H., Cirigliano, L. et al. Unveiling the molecular Hallmarks of Peyronie’s disease: a comprehensive narrative review. Int J Impot Res (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-024-00845-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-024-00845-2

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