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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
In Vitro Generation of Heart Field-specific Cardiac Progenitor Cells
Published on: July 3, 2019
Cardiac stem and progenitor cell identification: different markers for the same cell?
Georgina M Ellison1, Valentina Galuppo, Carla Vicinanza
1Stem Cell and Molecular Physiology Laboratory, The Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool JM University, Liverpool, UK.
Insights
The adult heart, once thought incapable of regeneration, now shows potential due to resident cardiac stem cells. Further research into these myocardial stem cells is crucial for heart disease therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Stem Cell Research
Background:
- The adult heart was traditionally considered a terminally differentiated organ lacking regenerative capacity.
- This view was based on the non-proliferative nature of cardiomyocytes and the absence of cardiac stem cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the discovery and implications of resident cardiac stem and progenitor cells in the adult mammalian heart.
- To discuss the potential for regenerative medicine in treating heart disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current research on cardiac stem and progenitor cells.
- Analysis of the implications of these findings for cardiac regenerative medicine.
Main Results:
- Multiple types of cardiac stem and progenitor cells have been identified in the adult heart.
- These cells challenge the notion of the heart as a static organ, suggesting significant regenerative potential.
Conclusions:
- The discovery of cardiac stem cells has transformed our understanding of cardiac regenerative potential.
- Further investigation into the origin, biology, and physiology of these myocardial stem cells is essential for developing effective therapies for heart failure.
Abstract:
For a long time the heart has been considered a terminally differentiated organ without any regenerative potential. The latter has been classically based on the terminally differentiated nature of cardiomyocytes and the absence of a pool of tissue-specific stem cells. This view has been radically changed due to the discovery of resident cardiac stem and progenitor cells in the adult mammalian heart. However, at minimum, 5 apparently different cardiac stem and/or progenitor cell types have been described so far. Thus, we have changed from a view of the heart as a static tissue to an organ with the highest number of tissue-specific stem cell populations. Most likely, the different putative adult cardiac stem and progenitor cells represent different developmental and/or physiological stages of a unique resident adult cardiac stem cell. Notably, it is not yet known the origin of all these cells. A better understanding of the origin, biology and physiology of the myocardial stem and progenitor cells will impact the development of regenerative medicine as an effective therapy for heart disease and failure.
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