New cell based mechanism for heart repair read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/876-new-cell-based-mechanism-for-heart-repair

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen trying to find ways to regenerate a damaged heart have shed more light on the molecular mechanisms that could one day make this a reality.

Recent studies have suggested a few stem cells in the adult heart could still differentiate into heart muscle cells using similar mechanisms as those that happen in the embryonic heart.

Scientists are able to manipulate cultured embryonic stem cells in a petri dish to become heart muscle cells that visually beat. This process allows experts to study the molecular mechanisms driving stem cell differentiation into heart muscle cells.

The tissues and organs of developing embryos are organized by a process called cell-to-cell signaling. These interactions are controlled by signaling molecules. A particularly important class of these molecules are called Wnt signals.

Previous studies had shown that artificial activation and inhibition of Wnt signaling can induce the production of heart muscle cells. 

New research carried out at the University of Aberdeen has carefully monitored Wnt signaling activity and where and when Wnt signals normally occur, which now lends further evidence that Wnt signals naturally regulate heart muscle differentiation.

It is hoped that by understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the heart muscle cell development, scientists will be able to contribute to new therapeutic strategies that could encourage heart regeneration.

Silvia Mazzotta, who is a PhD student at the University of Aberdeen, said, during embryonic life we can make heart muscle cells, but if an adult suffers from a heart infarction in later life the heart muscle can’t regenerate sufficiently to repair itself.

The hope is that, if we understand the molecular mechanisms surrounding how this works we may in the future contribute to new therapeutic strategies to encourage heart regeneration.

 

The study offers clues that may help to switch on the repair of heart cells after a heart attack.