title: Homing of stem cells to ischemic myocardium.
abstract: Progenitor cells have the capability to home myocardium in response to ischemia. Cell adhesion markers, in particular integrins, play an important role in the trafficking of stem cells to myocardium. In addition, damaged myocardium secretes several chemokines and growth factors that recruit these precursor cells to the heart. Nitric oxide synthase and hormones can also contribute to the trafficking of progenitor cells to myocardium. The recruitment of stem cells to ischemic myocardium is a complex interchange between cell adhesion markers, chemokines, and growth factors and a better understanding of these processes may lead to more efficient use of stem cells for therapeutic benefit.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Center, Temple University Philadelphia, PA, USA ; Hospital Department of Surgery, Temple University Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Sharven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taghavi
authors.forename: Jon C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: George
keywords: Stem cells; growth factors; ischemic myocardium; myocardial infarction; myocardial regeneration