Stem cells as therapy for cardiac disease - a review |
| |
Authors: | Jezierska-Wo?niak Katarzyna Mystkowska Dorota Tutas Anna Jurkowski Marek Kajetan |
| |
Institution: | Department of Neurobiology and Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland. katarzyna.jezierska@uwm.edu.pl |
| |
Abstract: | Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Stem cells represent an enormous chance to rebuild damaged heart tissue. Correct definition of the cardiac progenitors is necessary to understand heart development, and would pave the way for the use of cardiac progenitors in the treatment of heart disease. Identifying, purifying and differentiating native cardiac progenitor cells are indispensable if we are to overcome congenital and adult cardiac diseases. To understand their functions, physiology and action, cells are tested in animal models, and then in clinical trials. But because clinical trials yield variable results, questions about proper cardiac stem cells remain unanswered. Transplanted stem cells release soluble factors, acting in a paracrine fashion, which contributes to cardiac regeneration. Cytokines and growth factors have cytoprotective and neovascularizing functions, and may activate resident cardiac stem cells. Understanding all these mechanisms is crucial to overcoming heart diseases. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 PubMed 等数据库收录! |
|