Vol 49, No 1 (2011)
Review paper
Published online: 2011-04-19
Stem cells as therapy for cardiac disease — a review
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2011.0004
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(1):13-25.
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. (Folia Histochemica
et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 13–25)
Keywords: cell therapystem cellsheart failureparacrine signaling
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