How to mend a broken heart: adult and induced pluripotent stem cell therapy for heart repair and regeneration

miR‑149 promotes the myocardial differentiation of mouse bone marrow stem cells by targeting Dab2

To investigate the role of microRNA (miR)‑149 in the cardiac differentiation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro, MSCs were infected with a lentivirus overexpressing miR‑149 and the effect on cardiac differentiation was determined. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction results demonstrated that miR‑149 promoted the expression of cardiac‑specific markers in MSCs. Western blotting and a luciferase activity assay demonstrated that disabled homolog 2 (Dab2) was a direct target of miR‑149. Dab2 ectopic expression and Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway inhibition was able to reverse the increased expression of cardiac‑specific markers induced by miR‑149. In conclusion, miR‑149 was able to target Dab2 and promote the cardiac differentiation of mouse MSCs in vitro, which depended upon the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway.

Landscape of Innovation for Cardiovascular Pharmaceuticals: From Basic Science to New Molecular Entities

PURPOSE

This study examines the complete timelines of translational science for new cardiovascular therapeutics from the initiation of basic research leading to identification of new drug targets through clinical development and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of new molecular entities (NMEs) based on this research.

METHODS

This work extends previous studies by examining the association between the growth of research on drug targets and approval of NMEs associated with these targets. Drawing on research on innovation in other technology sectors, where technological maturity is an important determinant in the success or failure of new product development, an analytical model was used to characterize the growth of research related to the known targets for all 168 approved cardiovascular therapeutics.

FINDINGS

Categorizing and mapping the technological maturity of cardiovascular therapeutics reveal that (1) there has been a distinct transition from phenotypic to targeted methods for drug discovery, (2) the durations of clinical and regulatory processes were significantly influenced by changes in FDA practice, and (3) the longest phase of the translational process was the time required for technology to advance from initiation of research to a statistically defined established point of technology maturation (mean, 30.8 years).

IMPLICATIONS

This work reveals a normative association between metrics of research maturation and approval of new cardiovascular therapeutics and suggests strategies for advancing translational science by accelerating basic and applied research and improving the synchrony between the maturation of this research and drug development initiatives.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac tissue on a thin collagen membrane with natural microstructures

We present a new strategy to produce a thin collagen membrane from porcine tendons and engineered cardiac tissues using hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.

Role of angiotensin II in stem cell therapy of cardiac disease

INTRODUCTION

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) is closely related to the cardiovascular system, body fluid regulation and homeostasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Despite common therapeutic methods, stem cell/progenitor cell therapy is daily increasing as a term of regenerative medicine. RAS and its pharmacological inhibitors are not only involved in physiological and pathological aspects of the cardiovascular system, but also affect the different stages of stem cell proliferation, differentiation and function, via interfering cell signaling pathways.

RESULTS

This study reviews the new role of RAS, in particular Ang II distinct from other common roles, by considering its regulating impact on the different signaling pathways involved in the cardiac and endothelial tissue, as well as in stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

This review focuses on the impact of stem cell therapy on the cardiovascular system, the role of RAS in stem cell differentiation, and the role of RAS inhibition in cardiac stem cell growth and development.

Exosomes: Fundamental Biology and Roles in Cardiovascular Physiology

Exosomes are nanosized membrane particles that are secreted by cells that transmit information from cell to cell. The information within exosomes prominently includes their protein and RNA payloads. Exosomal microRNAs in particular can potently and fundamentally alter the transcriptome of recipient cells. Here we summarize what is known about exosome biogenesis, content, and transmission, with a focus on cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology. We also highlight some of the questions currently under active investigation regarding these extracellular membrane vesicles and their potential in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.