Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, and the development of scar tissue in the myocardium as well as the irreversible destruction of cardiomyocytes are major factors in its development.
In recent years, research on stem cells has led to their potential application in numerous clinical and preclinical trials for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases due to the unique features of stem cells.
Pharmacological and surgical treatments can only delay the progression of chronic heart disease but cannot rescue the function of infarcted myocardial cells. Myocardial infarction causes macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils to migrate to the infarct area, where they produce an inflammatory response.
Myocyte necrosis and subsequent overload initiate signal transduction processes that regulate cardiac repair and subsequently form fibrous scar tissue, ultimately leading to heart failure.
Stem cells are characterized by their ability to differentiate into cardiovascular cells, immunomodulatory property, anti-fibrotic activity, and the ability to undergo the formation of new blood vessels and new cardiac tissue. They also improve heart function by producing growth factors and other factors that stimulate blood vessel regeneration and reduce Inflammation, in addition to protecting the heart from damage.
