The contribution of stem cells to cure damaged hearts has finally been unraveled. A large number of preclinical and clinical studies have showed beneficial outcomes after myocardial infarction. In this review, the current understanding of stem cell therapy in preclinical and clinical experiences is summarized. Stem cells from bone marrow have shown a potential to improve cardiac performance after myocardial infarction in animal and early clinical studies. Clinical trials from all over the world have provided safety assessments of stem cell therapy with marginal improvement of clinical outcomes. Thus, further investigations should be encouraged to resolve the discrepancies between studies, clinical issues, and unclear translational findings. This review provides information and commentary on key trials for stem cell-based treat-ment of cardiovascular disease.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Heart ; Myocardial Infarction ; Peer Review, Research ; Stem Cells

No abstract available.
Myocardial Infarction

No abstract available.
Heart Failure ; Heart

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide and regenerative medicine is a promising therapeutic option for this disease. We have developed various techniques to attenuate the cardiac remodeling and to regenerate cardiovascular systems via stem cell application. Besides cell therapy, we are interested in the modulation of pathological inflammation mediated by macrophages in the damaged heart tissue to arouse endogenous reparative responses with biocompatible small molecules. Certainly, current understanding of mechanisms of tissue regeneration will lead to the development of innovative regenerative medicine for cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cardiovascular System ; Cause of Death ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Heart ; Inflammation ; Macrophages ; Regeneration ; Regenerative Medicine ; Stem Cells

The NF-kappaB family of transcription factors plays a critical role in many tissues by modulating both inflammation and cell survival, and this primarily comes about through transcriptional regulation of the downstream effecter genes. This central role of coordinating complex programs of gene induction suggests that the NF-kappaB transcription factors and/or the signaling pathways leading to their activation may present a prime opportunity for performing therapeutic intervention. However, the dual role of this pathway in inflammation and survival dictates rigorous and empiric validation of such interventions in realistic models of disease before we can translate research findings to the clinical arena. Interestingly, the precise approach chosen to modulate NF-kappaB activation appears to dramatically alter the balance of the downstream effects on apoptosis and inflammation. Here we provide a brief overview of NF-kappaB signaling and its role in atherogenesis as well as in acute coronary syndromes, while considering the clinical implications for therapeutic strategies.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Apoptosis ; Atherosclerosis* ; Cell Survival ; Humans ; Inflammation ; NF-kappa B* ; Transcription Factors

No abstract available.
Stents*

No abstract available.
Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Korea ; Mortality* ; Myocardial Ischemia*

Restenosis and stent thrombosis remain major concerns after percutaneous coronary intervention for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The present review was undertaken in order to highlight the various coronary stents that have been investigated in our Heart Research Center, and how far we have come from the first heparin-coated stent first used in the late 1990s. Thereafter, from the abciximab-coated stent to the current gene-delivery stent and other newer agents, our group has applied a range of techniques in this field. However, in groups similar to ours, the restenosis rates of such stents are still high for second-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs). Moreover, our nation imports almost all of these types of stents from other countries. Thus, we need to develop domestic coronary stents. Research into newer DESs are warranted in Korea so as to achieve improved safety and efficacy outcomes.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Heart ; Korea ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Stents ; Thrombosis

No abstract available.
Exercise Test ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia