Contemplating the bright future of stem cell therapy for cardiovascular disease.
Not long ago, it was assumed that mammalian hearts were so differentiated that regeneration of cardiac tissue was not possible, but now an increasing amount of information suggests that the intrinsic regenerative capacity of the heart can be encouraged by stimulating resident stem cells or transplanting extracardiac progenitor cells. In the future, cardiovascular stem cell therapy may be administered to all patients. Here, we review what has happened and look at where we are going.
Sánchez
Pedro L
PL
Institute of Heart Sciences (ICICOR), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain.
San Román
José Alberto
JA
Villa
Adolfo
A
Fernández
María Eugenia
ME
Fernández-Avilés
Francisco
F
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D003935:Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D006801:Humans; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000639:trends*; D012107:Research Design; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D016896:Treatment Outcome