Journal of Cell Science & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Stem Cell Therapy in Cardiovascular Diseases: The Reparative Mechanisms of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Myocardial Infarction Treatment

Jin Han, Jonghoon Choi and Suk Ho Bhang

Cell therapy, more specifically stem cell therapy, holds significant promise in the treatment of various diseases. Stem cells address a great therapeutic approach for tissue engineering in particular, as they are known to differentiate into various tissue lineages, including bone, cartilage, cardiac muscle, and even into the cells of the central nervous system. Another great strength of the stem cells is that autologous cell transplantation is available and the patients can be treated with their own cells. This greatly reduces the risk of host immune-related problems, and further enables more patient-friendly and patient-specific therapy. Recently, stem cell therapy shed some light on its paracrine mechanisms, in addition to the direct differentiation mechanism for disease treatment. Although a number of stem cell-based therapies are advancing, their reparative mechanism and therapeutic efficacy in disease treatment need further studies. Herein, we reviewed the major therapeutic approaches of the stem cells for cardiovascular diseases. In particular, we will focus on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) among various stem cell types, and discuss their reparative mechanisms in cardiac tissue regeneration.