Cardiac Stem Cells in the Postnatal Heart: Lessons from Development

Abstract

Heart development in mammals is followed by a postnatal decline in cell proliferation and cell renewal from stem cell populations. A better understanding of the developmental changes in cardiac microenvironments occurring during heart maturation will be informative regarding the loss of adult regenerative potential. We reevaluate the adult heart's mitotic potential and the reported adult cardiac stem cell populations, as these are two topics of ongoing debate. The heart's early capacity for cell proliferation driven by progenitors and reciprocal signalling is demonstrated throughout development. The mature heart architecture and environment may be more restrictive on niches that can host progenitor cells. The engraftment issues observed in cardiac stem cell therapy trials using exogenous stem cells may indicate a lack of supporting stem cell niches, while tissue injury adds to a hostile microenvironment for transplanted cells. Engraftment may be improved by preconditioning the cultured stem cells and modulating the microenvironment to host these cells. These prospective areas of further research would benefit from a better understanding of cardiac progenitor interactions with their microenvironment throughout development and may lead to enhanced cardiac niche support for stem cell therapy engraftment.

Human cardiomyocyte-derived exosomes induce cardiac gene expressions in mesenchymal stromal cells within 3D hyaluronic acid hydrogels and in dose-dependent manner

“…However, the increase in cTnT was not significant. This low-level expression of cTnT compared to other cardiac genes was indeed meaningful in as much as this gene is expressed in a mature form of cardiac cells-cardiomyocytes-that come out in the later stages of cardiogenesis [41,42]. Similar findings have previously been reported [43].…”

Blood Serum Stimulates p38-Mediated Proliferation and Changes in Global Gene Expression of Adult Human Cardiac Stem Cells

“…Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of death worldwide and are accompanied by decreased proliferation capacities of resident cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells and a reduced regenerative potential of quiescent cardiac stem cells (CSCs) [1,2]. In addition to cardiovascular diseases, an overall decline in tissue regenerative potential during human ageing is considered a crucial factor for the onset of other age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atherosclerosis [3].…”

Melatonin in Early Nutrition: Long-Term Effects on Cardiovascular System

“…After birth, the heart and vascular system of the newborn continues to develop and grow. Cells such as cardiac fibroblasts continue to proliferate until being present in equivalent numbers as the cardiomyocytes in the adult heart [50]. These particular fibroblasts transmit the electric signal to adjacent cells, including cardiomyocytes, and are therefore involved not only in the structure but also in the function of the heart [50].…”