Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
Assessing Stem Cell DNA Integrity for Cardiac Cell Therapy
Published on: January 25, 2019
Distribution of cardiac stem cells in the human heart
Mani Arsalan1, Felix Woitek, Volker Adams
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Kerckhoff Klinik, Bad Nauheim, Benekestr. 2-8, 61231 Bad Nauheim,, Germany.
Insights
Human cardiac stem cells (hCSCs) are more concentrated in the atria than the left ventricle. These atrial hCSCs may offer a natural source for cardiac tissue regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- The presence and regenerative potential of human cardiac stem cells (hCSCs) remain incompletely understood.
- Identifying sources of endogenous cardiac stem cells is crucial for developing heart regeneration strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and quantify the distribution of hCSCs in different regions of the human heart.
- To analyze the concentration of hCSCs in the atria and ventricles using flow cytometry.
Main Methods:
- Human cardiac tissue samples were obtained from the right atrium (RA), left atrium (LA), and left ventricle (LV) during cardiac surgery.
- Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated and labeled for the stem cell marker c-kit and hematopoietic lineage markers.
- Flow cytometry (FCM) was employed to analyze and quantify the hCSC populations.
Main Results:
- hCSCs were successfully isolated from the RA, LA, and LV.
- No significant quantitative difference in hCSC concentration was found between the RA and LA.
- The concentration of hCSCs was significantly higher in both the atria (RA/LA) compared to the LV.
Conclusions:
- The atria possess a higher concentration of hCSCs relative to the left ventricle.
- Atrial hCSCs represent a potential endogenous source for myocardial tissue repair and regeneration.
Abstract:
Introduction. The existence of human cardiac stem cells (hCSC) and their regenerative capacity are not fully defined. The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the distribution of hCSCs by flow cytometry (FCM). Methods. Tissue samples from the left ventricle (LV) and the appendages of the right atrium (RA) and left atrium (LA) were taken during cardiac surgery. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated, labelled for the stem-cell-marker c-kit and hematopoietic-lineage markers and analysed by FCM. Results. HCSCs could be isolated from the RA, LA, and LV without significant quantitative difference between both atria (A) (RA 4.80 ± 1.76% versus LA 4.99 ± 1.69% of isolated MNCs, P = 0.922). The number of hCSCs was significantly higher in both atria compared to the left ventricle (A 4.90 ± 1.29% versus LV 0.62 ± 0.14% of isolated MNCs, P = 0.035). Conclusion. The atria contain a higher concentration of hCSC than the left ventricle. HCSCs located in the atria could serve as an endogenous source for heart regeneration.
