Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology
Volume 50, Issue 2 , Pages 312-319, February 2011

Adult stem cells for cardiac tissue engineering

  • Eliana C. Martinez

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
    • ,
  • Theo Kofidis

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
    • Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Level 2, Singapore 119074, Singapore. Tel.: +65 6772 2065; fax: +65 6775 8538.

Received 31 May 2010; received in revised form 15 July 2010; accepted 6 August 2010. published online 16 August 2010.

Abstract 

Cell therapy and tissue engineering attract increasing attention as a potential approach for cardiac repair. Adult stem cells from autologous origin are a practically safe and appealing source for cell-based regenerative therapies that may hold realistic clinical potential. A plethora of interesting concepts have been introduced aiming at regenerating ischemic myocardium through adult stem cell-based bioartificial cardiac tissue supplements. Yet, current pre-clinical concepts have not reached translational applicability, and successes are only episodic. This review will provide a brief overview of the latest concepts and breakthroughs in the emerging field of cardiac adult stem cell-based tissue engineering, and discuses the challenges that this field needs to overcome to achieve realistic therapeutic translation into the clinical arena. This article is part of a special issue entitled, "Cardiovascular Stem Cells Revisited".

Research Highlights

► Adult stem cells for cardiac tissue engineering hold high clinical applicability. ► This strategy enhances cell retention and angiogenesis in the ischemic myocardium. ► Positive effects are due to paracrine mechanisms rather than cardiac differentiation. ► Only few clinical trials have tested ASC derived grafts for myocardial repair. ► Drawbacks related to graft’s size and implantation risks still need to be addressed.

Keywords: Myocardial restoration, Tissue engineering, Myocardial ischemia, Heart failure, Adult stem cells

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PII: S0022-2828(10)00296-8

doi:10.1016/j.yjmcc.2010.08.009

Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology
Volume 50, Issue 2 , Pages 312-319, February 2011

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