{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,30]],"date-time":"2026-10-30T20:06:22Z","timestamp":1793390782256,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":71,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"14","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,7,19]],"date-time":"2023-07-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1689724800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Fibrosis is a disease condition characterized by abnormalities of the extracellular matrix, such as accumulation of the transforming growth factor \u03b2, infiltration by myofibroblasts, deposition of collagen, and a generalized dysregulation of collagen maturation. It can severely impair the function of organs by replacing normal tissue with a highly collagenized matrix, thereby reducing the elasticity and compliance of tissues. Fibrotic diseases of the genitourinary tract present relevant problems in healthcare, and their principles of pathophysiology remain unclarified; hence, the armamentarium for prevention and treatment is limited. These diseases include renal fibrosis, Peyronie\u2019s disease and ureteral and urethral strictures due to perturbations in the process of wound healing in response to injuries. Such deteriorations may contribute to obstructive uropathies or sexual dysfunction. This review provides a brief overview of the most frequent fibrotic diseases of the genitourinary system and of how the pathophysiology is related to symptoms, and also highlights potential therapeutic strategies to address the abnormal deposition of collagen. Although the understanding of factors associated with fibrotic conditions of the urinary and genital tract is still limited, some beneficial advances have been made. Further research will serve to provide a more comprehensive insight into factors responsible for the development of fibrotic tissue deposition.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm12144770","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,7,19]],"date-time":"2023-07-19T21:21:46Z","timestamp":1689801706000},"page":"4770","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":13,"title":["Fibrotic Diseases of the Human Urinary and Genital Tract: Current Understanding and Potential Strategies for Treatment"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4458-4055","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Harrina E.","family":"Rahardjo","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Urology, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia"},{"name":"Department of Urology & Urological Oncology, Division of Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Viktoria","family":"M\u00e4rker","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20251 Hamburg, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6320-0956","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dimitrios","family":"Tsikas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Core Unit Proteomics, Center of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Markus A.","family":"Kuczyk","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Urology & Urological Oncology, Division of Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Stefan","family":"\u00dcckert","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Urology & Urological Oncology, Division of Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0492-705X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andreas","family":"Bannowsky","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Urology, Imland Hospital gGmbH, 24768 Rendsburg, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,7,19]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"746","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bbadis.2009.06.004","article-title":"TGF \u03b2 and fibrosis in different organs\u2014Molecular pathway imprints","volume":"1792","author":"Pohlers","year":"2009","journal-title":"Biochim. 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