Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy, Resident Progenitor Cells and the role of Cellular Signalling; a Review

Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the most common cause of death worldwide. Unhealthy lifestyle choices promote an upward trend of primary risk factors for CVD. As a result, novel methods of treatment are required. The myocardium itself could serve as a source of treatment, via resident cardiac progenitor cells (CPC). A brief overview of current studies and findings related to the potential of differentiation of CPCs to form mature cardiomyocytes (CM) and thereby heal damaged myocardial tissue, as well as implications of these findings for further research areas and possible treatments, is offered. Also investigated is the possible role of CM cell reprogramming, cardiac fibroblasts and signalling molecules in treatment of CVD. Running title: Cardiac stem cells - review