Summary
Human stem cells and progenitor cells from the bone marrow have been proposed for
the regeneration of ischemic cardiac tissues. Early clinical trials indicate that
infusion of autologous bone-marrow cells into the infarcted heart enhances ventricular
function, albeit the long-term benefit remains to be ascertained. Alternatively, angiogenic
growth factors could be used to stimulate the recruitment of vascular progenitor cells
into tissues in need of regeneration. Unfortunately, in atherosclerotic patients,
the curative potential of autologous stem cells might be impoverished by underlying
disease and associated risk factors. Thus, research is focusing on the use of embryonic
stem cells which are capable of unlimited self-renewal and have the potential to give
rise to all tissue types in the body. Ethical problems and technical hurdles may limit
the immediate application of embryonic stem cells. In the meanwhile, fetal hematopoietic
stem cells, which have been routinely used to reconstitute the hematopoietic system
in man, could represent an alternative, owing to their juvenile phenotype and ability
to differentiate into vascular endothelial, muscular, and neuronal cell lineages.
With progresses in stem cell expansion, the blood of a single cord could be sufficient
to transplant an adult. These observations raise the exciting possibility of using
fetal cells as a new way to speed up the healing of damaged tissues.
This study was partially supported by the Italian Health Institute (Stem Cell Program).
Keywords
Angiogenesis - vasculogenesis - ischaemic heart disease - fetal progenitor cells -
nuclear transfer