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Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Cardiac Repair: Principles and Practice

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Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34)–CD45-negative nonhematopoietic progenitors derived typically from the stromal fraction of the bone marrow. These stem cells display multipotent properties with a demonstrable differentiation capacity along multiple mesodermal lineages. In the setting of myocardial injury, preclinical studies indicate benefit of both autologous and allogeneic transplantation in line with a recognized immunotolerant profile. Initial clinical experience supports the value of mesenchymal stem-cell-based therapy in ischemic cardiomyopathy. Experience is however limited to naïve mesenchymal stem cells, with efforts underway to identify optimal means of enhancing the cardiogenic potential of transplanted cells through guided cardiopoiesis with the ultimate aim of achieving standardized therapy of the ischemic myocardium.

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Acknowledgements

Drs. J Bartunek, M. Vanderheyden, and W. Wijns are members of a nonprofit organization which is a founding member of Cardio3Biosciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Center and Cardiovascular Research Center, OLV Hospital, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium

    Jozef Bartunek, Marc Vanderheyden & William Wijns

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Atta Behfar & Andre Terzic

  3. Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technology University Eindhoven, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Jozef Bartunek

  4. Department of Medical Genetics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Atta Behfar & Andre Terzic

  5. Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Atta Behfar & Andre Terzic

Authors
  1. Jozef Bartunek
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  2. Atta Behfar
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  3. Marc Vanderheyden
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  4. William Wijns
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  5. Andre Terzic
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Correspondence to Jozef Bartunek.

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Bartunek, J., Behfar, A., Vanderheyden, M. et al. Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Cardiac Repair: Principles and Practice. J. of Cardiovasc. Trans. Res. 1, 115–119 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-008-9021-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-008-9021-5

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