Concise Review: Reduction of Adverse Cardiac Scarring Facilitates Pluripotent Stem Cell ‐Based Therapy for Myocardial Infarction

Implanted stem cells including pluripotent stem cell derivatives can invade fibrotic tissue through production of paracrine factors that degrade fibrillar collagens. Conversely, multiple factors (such as fragments of extracellular matrix, pro ‐inflammatory cytokines, and mechanical signals) derived from fibrotic tissue can obstruct the migration and engraftment of implanted cells. In this review, we focus on the interaction between fibroblasts and stem cells, antifibrotic strategies, and stem cell‐based therapies for myocardial infar ction. AbstractPluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are an attractive, reliable source for generating functional cardiomyocytes for regeneration of infarcted heart. However, inefficient cell engraftment into host tissue remains a notable challenge to therapeutic success due to mechanical damage or relatively inhospitable microenvironment. Evidence has shown that excessively formed scar tissues around cell delivery sites present as mechanical and biological barriers that inhibit migration and engraftment of implanted cells. In this review, we focus on the functional responses of stem cells and cardiomyocytes during the process of cardiac fibrosis and scar formation. Survival, migration, contraction, and coupling function of implanted cells may be affected by matrix remodeling, inflammatory factors, altered tissue stiffness, and presence of electroactive myofibroblasts in the fibrotic microenvironment. Although paracrine factors from implanted cells c...
Source: Stem Cells - Category: Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Regenerative Medicine Source Type: research