title: Cardiovascular Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine: Ready for Prime Time?
abstract: Restoration of cardiovascular function is the ultimate goal of stem cell-based therapy. In principle, cardiovascular stem cells can improve cardiac function via de novo cardiomyogenesis, enhanced myocardial neovascularization, and prevention of post-infarct remodeling. Stem cell transplantation to improve cardiac function has received mixed results in human clinical trials. These early data suggest that a critical reassessment of the scientific basis to stem cell-based therapy is needed in order to bring this highly promising treatment modality to mainstream clinical care.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Yuan-Hung
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karra
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wu