Stem Cell Regeneration Repairs Congenital Heart Defect

Mayo Clinic investigators have demonstrated that stem cells can be used to regenerate heart tissue to treat dilated cardiomyopathy, a congenital defect. Publication of the discovery was expedited by the editors of Stem Cells and appeared online in the “express” section of the journal’s Web site at Stem Cells.

The study expands on the use of embryonic stem cells to regenerate tissue and repair damage after heart attacks and demonstrates that stem cells also can repair the inherited causes of heart failure.

“We’ve shown in this transgenic animal model that embryonic stem cells may offer an option in repairing genetic heart problems,” says Satsuki Yamada, MD, PhD, cardiovascular researcher and first author of the study. “Close evaluation of genetic variations among individuals to identify optimal disease targets and customize stem cells for therapy opens a new era of personalized regenerative medicine,” adds Andre Terzic, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic cardiologist and senior author and principal investigator.

Release date: September 11, 2008
Source: Mayo Clinic