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Published on: January 7, 2019
Cardiomyocyte proliferation vs progenitor cells in myocardial regeneration: The debate continues
Konstantinos Malliaras1, John Terrovitis2
1Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, USA.
Insights
New cardiomyocyte formation occurs in adult hearts, but not enough for recovery after injury. Understanding the cellular origins of this cardiomyogenesis is key for developing therapies for myocardial regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Mammalian Heart Development
Background:
- Landmark studies confirm cardiomyogenesis in adult mammalian hearts.
- New cardiomyocyte formation rate is insufficient for full recovery after myocardial injury, like infarction.
- The cellular origin of postnatal cardiomyogenesis in mammals is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the relative importance of cardiomyocyte proliferation versus progenitor cell differentiation in cardiomyogenesis.
- To analyze these processes in normal aging and post-myocardial injury contexts.
- To evaluate the strengths and limitations of current experimental methodologies.
Main Methods:
- Review and discussion of existing literature on cardiomyogenesis.
- Analysis of studies investigating cardiomyocyte proliferation.
- Examination of research on progenitor cell differentiation in the heart.
Main Results:
- Cardiomyogenesis occurs in adult mammalian hearts.
- Two primary mechanisms contribute: proliferation of existing cardiomyocytes and differentiation of progenitor cells.
- The rate of new cardiomyocyte formation is inadequate for significant myocardial repair.
Conclusions:
- Clarifying the mechanisms of mammalian cardiomyogenesis is crucial.
- This understanding is essential for therapeutic strategies aimed at myocardial regeneration.
- Future research could unlock clinical applications for heart repair.
Abstract:
In recent years, several landmark studies have provided compelling evidence that cardiomyogenesis occurs in the adult mammalian heart. However, the rate of new cardiomyocyte formation is inadequate for complete restoration of the normal mass of myocardial tissue, should a significant myocardial injury occur, such as myocardial infarction. The cellular origin of postnatal cardiomyogenesis in mammals remains a controversial issue and two mechanisms seem to be participating, proliferation of pre-existing cardiomyocytes and myogenic differentiation of progenitor cells. We will discuss the relative importance of these two processes in different settings, such as normal ageing and post-myocardial injury, as well as the strengths and limitations of the existing experimental methodologies used in the relevant studies. Further clarification of the mechanisms underlying cardiomyogenesis in mammals will open the way for their therapeutic exploitation in the clinical field, with the scope of myocardial regeneration.
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