Stem cells in cardiomyocyte rescue: bridging regeneration and repair

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, covering a range of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, including, but not limited to, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertensive heart disease. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising approach not only due to the use of stem cells due to their ability to regenerate lost cardiomyocytes, but also due to their ability to stimulate the proliferation of endogenous cells in the heart. Recently, the prevailing concept of stem cell efficacy has shifted toward the paracrine hypothesis, which proposes that transplanted cells produce soluble factors, likely through a potent cardiac salvage effect. However, the recognition that cell therapy may be cardioprotective, not just regenerative, merits further exploration before we abandon this research entirely.

The purpose of this Research Topic is to explore the latest advances, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of stem cells in the context of cardiovascular medicine, with the goal of consolidating knowledge on how these therapies can be adapted to treat a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. We aim to assemble a comprehensive collection of original research articles, reviews, case studies, and perspective articles that elucidate the role of stem cells in cardiac protection/postconditioning and recovery.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
– Types and sources of stem cells: studies of different types of stem cells (eg, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells) and their sources, focusing on their specific properties and potential for cardiomyocyte protection versus regeneration.
– Mechanisms of action: detailed studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which stem cells promote cardiomyocyte rescue, including paracrine signaling, differentiation and interaction with host cells.
– Mechanistic perspective: studies examining the underlying mechanisms of stem cell effects on cardiovascular pathology, including antifibrotic effects, increased angiogenesis, and restoration of electrical conductivity.
– Expanded Applications in Diseases: Research highlighting the use of stem cell therapy in various cardiovascular diseases such as chronic heart failure, childhood heart disease and vascular diseases.
– Preclinical and Clinical Studies: Reports and reviews of preclinical models and clinical trials evaluating the efficacy, safety, and translational potential of stem cell therapies for cardiac repair.
– Innovative delivery methods: Research into new delivery strategies to improve engraftment, survival and functional integration of stem cells, such as bioengineering approaches, scaffold design and tissue engineering.
– Immunological aspects: understanding the immunological aspects of stem cell therapy for cardiovascular diseases, including the interaction of implanted cells with the host immune system and strategies for overcoming immunogenic barriers.
– Combination therapy: exploring synergistic approaches combining stem cells with other interventions, such as growth factors, gene therapy and pharmacological agents, to optimize cardiac recovery and function.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to expand the scope of stem cell research in cardiovascular medicine by encouraging the submission of research that elucidates both the challenges and innovative solutions in the use of stem cells to treat a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. Through this initiative, we hope to promote greater understanding and accelerate the development of effective regenerative therapies that can improve the quality of life for patients suffering from cardiovascular disease. Researchers from around the world are invited to contribute, helping to ensure that this collection embodies a comprehensive view of the potential of stem cell therapies in cardiovascular medicine.

We encourage applications from researchers around the world to ensure a diverse and comprehensive collection of research. This Research Topic will serve as an important resource for scientists, clinicians, and policymakers focused on improving cardiac care through regenerative medicine.

Keywords: stem cells, cardioprotection, cardiomyocyte survival, heart salvage, myocardial infarction, cardiac repair, paracrine factors, stem cell therapy, preclinical models, clinical trials, bioengineering, immunological aspects, combination therapy.

Important Note: All contributions to this research topic must fall within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to redirect an out-of-scope manuscript to a more appropriate section or journal at any stage of review.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, covering a range of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, including, but not limited to, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertensive heart disease. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising approach not only due to the use of stem cells due to their ability to regenerate lost cardiomyocytes, but also due to their ability to stimulate the proliferation of endogenous cells in the heart. Recently, the prevailing concept of stem cell efficacy has shifted toward the paracrine hypothesis, which proposes that transplanted cells produce soluble factors, likely through a potent cardiac salvage effect. However, the recognition that cell therapy may be cardioprotective, not just regenerative, merits further exploration before we abandon this research entirely.

The purpose of this Research Topic is to explore the latest advances, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of stem cells in the context of cardiovascular medicine, with the goal of consolidating knowledge on how these therapies can be adapted to treat a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. We aim to assemble a comprehensive collection of original research articles, reviews, case studies, and perspective articles that elucidate the role of stem cells in cardiac protection/postconditioning and recovery.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
– Types and sources of stem cells: studies of different types of stem cells (eg, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells) and their sources, focusing on their specific properties and potential for cardiomyocyte protection versus regeneration.
– Mechanisms of action: detailed studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which stem cells promote cardiomyocyte rescue, including paracrine signaling, differentiation and interaction with host cells.
– Mechanistic perspective: studies examining the underlying mechanisms of stem cell effects on cardiovascular pathology, including antifibrotic effects, increased angiogenesis, and restoration of electrical conductivity.
– Expanded Applications in Diseases: Research highlighting the use of stem cell therapy in various cardiovascular diseases such as chronic heart failure, childhood heart disease and vascular diseases.
– Preclinical and Clinical Studies: Reports and reviews of preclinical models and clinical trials evaluating the efficacy, safety, and translational potential of stem cell therapies for cardiac repair.
– Innovative delivery methods: Research into new delivery strategies to improve engraftment, survival and functional integration of stem cells, such as bioengineering approaches, scaffold design and tissue engineering.
– Immunological aspects: understanding the immunological aspects of stem cell therapy for cardiovascular diseases, including the interaction of implanted cells with the host immune system and strategies for overcoming immunogenic barriers.
– Combination therapy: exploring synergistic approaches combining stem cells with other interventions, such as growth factors, gene therapy and pharmacological agents, to optimize cardiac recovery and function.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to expand the scope of stem cell research in cardiovascular medicine by encouraging the submission of research that elucidates both the challenges and innovative solutions in the use of stem cells to treat a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. Through this initiative, we hope to promote greater understanding and accelerate the development of effective regenerative therapies that can improve the quality of life for patients suffering from cardiovascular disease. Researchers from around the world are invited to contribute, helping to ensure that this collection embodies a comprehensive view of the potential of stem cell therapies in cardiovascular medicine.

We encourage applications from researchers around the world to ensure a diverse and comprehensive collection of research. This Research Topic will serve as an important resource for scientists, clinicians, and policymakers focused on improving cardiac care through regenerative medicine.

Keywords: stem cells, cardioprotection, cardiomyocyte survival, heart salvage, myocardial infarction, cardiac repair, paracrine factors, stem cell therapy, preclinical models, clinical trials, bioengineering, immunological aspects, combination therapy.

Important Note: All contributions to this research topic must fall within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to redirect an out-of-scope manuscript to a more appropriate section or journal at any stage of review.