Bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy in ischemic heart disease.
Since the first experiments of cell transplantation into the heart were performed in the early 1990s, the identification of adult stem cells has triggered attempts to regenerate damaged heart tissue by cellular transplantation. Until recently, a multitude of adult stem or progenitor cells from various tissues have been proposed to meet this end. Bone marrow in particular has emerged as the most promising source for stem and progenitor cells because, besides being the organ of hematopoietic maintenance, it contains a complex assortment of stem and progenitor cells. A large body of provocative experimental evidence for vascular and myocardial regeneration by these cells has generated further enthusiasm for their use. However, many questions remain unanswered in this new field of research regarding the therapeutic potential and the mechanisms responsible for the observed therapeutic effects. In this review, the authors discuss the therapeutic capacity of currently available representative bone marrow-derived stem and progenitor cells for treating ischemic heart diseases.
Cho
Hyun-Jai
HJ
Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Division of Cardiovascular Research, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02135, USA.
Lee
Juyong
J
Wecker
Andrea
A
Yoon
Young-sup
YS
D000328:Adult; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000473:pathology; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000628:therapy*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D012038:Regeneration; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D014019:Tissue Donors