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In Vitro Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Functional Cardiomyocyte-like Cells
Published on: August 9, 2017
Effects of age and heart failure on human cardiac stem cell function
Daniela Cesselli1, Antonio P Beltrami, Federica D'Aurizio
1Center for Regenerative Medicine, Udine Medical School, Udine, Italy. daniela.cesselli@uniud.it
The American Journal of Pathology
|June 28, 2011
Summary
Aging and chronic heart failure (CHF) reduce the number of functional human cardiac stem cells (hCSCs). Dysfunctional telomeres in hCSCs serve as biomarkers for both aging and heart failure, impacting cardiac repair potential.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The role of stem cell defects in myocardial aging and chronic heart failure (CHF) remains unclear.
- The persistence of functional human cardiac stem cells (hCSCs) in failing hearts is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if aging and CHF critically impact the heart's growth reserve by assessing hCSC properties.
- To determine if hCSCs exhibit signs of senescence and if telomere dysfunction is a key factor.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of hCSC properties in explanted hearts from control (n=18) and CHF (n=23) patients.
- Assessment of biomarkers for hCSC senescence, including telomere length, telomerase activity, and expression of p21(Cip1) and p16(INK4a).
Main Results:
- Both chronological age and CHF were associated with a significant decrease in functionally competent hCSCs.
- Telomere shortening, reduced telomerase activity, and increased expression of senescence markers (p21, p16) were observed in hCSCs.
- Dysfunctional telomeres in hCSCs were identified as novel biomarkers for cardiac aging and heart failure.
Conclusions:
- Aging and CHF impair the pool of functional hCSCs, potentially contributing to the progression of heart failure.
- Cellular senescence markers in hCSCs can indicate the aging of these cells and their therapeutic potential.
- Identifying and isolating young, functional hCSCs may offer therapeutic strategies for heart failure and aging-related cardiac dysfunction.
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