Stem Cells in Cardiovascular Medicine: the Road to Regenerative Therapies.
The purpose of this review is to provide a broad overview of current trends in stem cell research and its applications in cardiovascular medicine. Researches on different stem cell sources, their inherent characteristics, and the limitations they have in medical applications are discussed. Additionally, uses of stem cells for both modeling and treating cardiovascular disease are discussed, taking note of the obstacles these engineered interventions must overcome to be clinically viable.



Tissue engineering aims to replace dysfunctional tissues with engineered constructs. Stem cell technologies have been a great enabling factor in working toward this goal. Many tissue-engineered products are in development that utilize stem cell technology. Although promising, some refinement must be made to these constructs with respect to safety and functionality. A deeper understanding of basic differentiation and tissue developmental mechanisms is required to allow these engineered tissues to be translated into the clinic.
Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.|Molecular Cell Genetics and Developmental Biology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
Christopher W
CW
Anderson
Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.|Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Ste 773A, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
Nicole
N
Boardman
Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.|Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Ste 773A, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
Jiesi
J
Luo
Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.|Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Ste 773A, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
Jinkyu
J
Park
Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA. yibing.qyang@yale.edu.|Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Ste 773A, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. yibing.qyang@yale.edu.|Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA. yibing.qyang@yale.edu.|Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA. yibing.qyang@yale.edu.
Yibing
Y
Qyang
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D012038:Regeneration; D013234:Stem Cells; D023822:Tissue Engineering
Cardiovascular; Embryonic stem cells; Induced pluripotent stem cells; Regenerative medicine; Stem cells; Tissue engineering