Stem cell therapy: pieces of the puzzle.
Acute ischemic injury and chronic cardiomyopathies can cause irreversible loss of cardiac tissue leading to heart failure. Cellular therapy offers a new paradigm for treatment of heart disease. Stem cell therapies in animal models show that transplantation of various cell preparations improves ventricular function after injury. The first clinical trials in patients produced some encouraging results, despite limited evidence for the long-term survival of transplanted cells. Ongoing research at the bench and the bedside aims to compare sources of donor cells, test methods of cell delivery, improve myocardial homing, bolster cell survival, and promote cardiomyocyte differentiation. This article reviews progress toward these goals.
Schoenhard
John A
JA
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University, MRB IV P425C, 2213 Garland Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
Hatzopoulos
Antonis K
AK
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D002470:Cell Survival; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000473:pathology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012038:Regeneration; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016276:Ventricular Function