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Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The human myocardium has a limited regenerative capacity, prompting the development of innovative strategies to restore cardiac function. Stem cells (SCs) and bioartificial tissues (BATs) have emerged as promising tools in regenerative cardiology for myocardial repair and functional recovery.
Methods: This review analyzes current preclinical and clinical research focused on SC- and BAT-based therapies for CR. Literature was identified through comprehensive database searches. Studies evaluating cardiomyocyte differentiation, integration into host tissue, vascularisation and electromechanical properties were selected. Emphasis was placed on therapeutic potential, safety and translational challenges.
Results: SCs, including embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells, demonstrated potential to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells and contribute to myocardial restoration. When combined with biomaterial scaffolds or decellularized matrices, SCs showed improved survival, structural support, and functional integration. BATs, such as engineered heart tissue, replicated native myocardial architecture and supported synchronized contraction. Despite these advances, concerns persist regarding immunogenicity, arrhythmias, and long-term efficacy. Technical hurdles in large-scale production and personalised application remain unresolved.
Conclusions: SC- and BAT-based therapies offer innovative avenues for repairing damaged myocardium. Their application could revolutionise treatment strategies for heart failure and post-infarction remodelling. However, clinical translation requires addressing immune compatibility, arrhythmic risk and manufacturing limitations. Interdisciplinary collaboration and regulatory standardisation are essential for their future clinical adoption.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/eci.70101 | DOI Listing |
J Clin Invest
September 2025
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
Understanding the genetic causes of diseases affecting pancreatic β cells and neurons can give insights into pathways essential for both cell types. Microcephaly, epilepsy and diabetes syndrome (MEDS) is a congenital disorder with two known aetiological genes, IER3IP1 and YIPF5. Both genes encode proteins involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to Golgi trafficking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRNA Biol
September 2025
Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are multipotent stem cells with self-renewal capacity, able to differentiate into all neural lineages of the central nervous system, including neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes; thus, their proliferation and differentiation are essential for embryonic neurodevelopment and adult brain homoeostasis. Dysregulation in these processes is implicated in neurological disorders, highlighting the need to elucidate how NSCs proliferate and differentiate to clarify the mechanisms of neurogenesis and uncover potential therapeutic targets. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression involved in many aspects of nervous system development and function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
September 2025
School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
Engineering functional exosomes represents a cutting-edge approach in biomedicine, holding the promise to transform targeted therapy. However, challenges such as achieving consistent modification and scalability have limited their wider adoption. Herein, we introduce a universal and effective strategy for engineering multifunctional exosomes through cell fusion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
September 2025
Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are highly compartmentalized neurons whose long axons serve as the sole connection between the eye and the brain. In both injury and disease, RGC degeneration occurs in a similarly compartmentalized manner, with distinct molecular and cellular responses in the axonal and somatodendritic regions. The goal of this study was to establish a microfluidic-based platform to investigate RGC compartmentalization in both health and disease states.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTissue Eng Regen Med
September 2025
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, #505 BanPo-Dong, SeoCho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease delineated by excessive lymphocyte infiltration to the lacrimal or salivary glands, leading to dry eye and dry mouth. Exosomes secreted from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are known to have anti-inflammatory and tissue regeneration abilities. This study endeavored to demonstrate the effect of MSC-derived exosomes on the clinical parameter of dry eyes and associated pathology in SS mouse model.
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