First dual stem cell therapy brings new hope for cardiac repair

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A research team featuring an expert from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has developed a novel dual approach for the first time for concurrently rejuvenating both the cardiac muscle and vasculature of the heart by utilising two types of stem cells. The results give hope for a new treatment for repairing myocardial infarction (MI) heart.

Dr Ban Ki-won, Assistant Professor of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and his research team, including researchers from Konkuk University, The Catholic University of Korea, Pohang University of Science and Technology and T&R Biofab in South Korea, have conducted the first study of two distinct stem cell effects for cardiac repair. The two major types of stem cells employed are human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs). The research findings have been published in Nature Communications in a paper titled “Dual stem cell therapy synergistically improves cardiac function and vascular regeneration following myocardial infarction”. 

“Both cardiac muscles and vasculatures are severely damaged following MI, and so the therapeutic strategies should focus on comprehensive repair of both at the same time. But the current strategies only focus on either one,” Dr Ban said. 

Dr Ban said that, with limited therapeutic options for severe MI and advanced heart failure, a heart transplant was the last resort. However, such an operation is very risky, costly and subject to limited supply of suitable donors. Therefore, stem cell-based therapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic option.