We discuss here the rapid progress of stem cell therapy in myocardial infarction. In particular, we focus on the issue of transdifferentiation as a “hallmark” of the stem cell's potential to replace damaged cells of the heart. A study by Henning and colleagues in this issue of Cell Transplantation supports the alternative notion of a nontransdifferentiation-mediated protection of the heart as an equally robust mechanism underlying the therapeutic potential of stem cells.
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ChenJ.; SanbergP. R.; LiY.; WangL.; LuM.; WillingA. E.; Sanchez-RamosJ.; ChoppM.Intravenous administration of human umbilical cord blood reduces behavioral deficits after stroke in rats.Stroke32: 2682–2688; 2001.
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GalinanesM.; LoubaniM.; DaviesJ.; ChinD.; PasiJ.; BellP. R.Autotransplantation of unmanipulated bone marrow into scarred myocardium is safe and enhances cardiac function in humans.Cell Transplant.13(1): 7–13; 2004.
7.
Garbuzova-DavisS.; WillingA. E.; ZigovaT.; SaportaS.; JustenE. B.; LaneJ. C.; HudsonJ. E.; ChenN.; DavisC. D.; SanbergP. R.Intravenous administration of human umbilical cord blood cells in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Distribution, migration, and differentiation.J. Hematother. Stem Cell Res.12: 255–270; 2003.
8.
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HuwerH.; WinningJ.; VollmarB.; WelterC.; LohbachC.; MengerM. D.; SchafersH. J.Long-term cell survival and hemodynamic improvements after neonatal cardiomyocyte and satellite cell transplantation into healed myocardial cryoinfarcted lesions in rats.Cell Transplant.12(7): 757–767; 2003.
11.
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12.
LuD.; SanbergP. R.; MahmoodA.; LiY.; WangL.; Sanchez-RamosJ.; ChoppM.Intravenous administration of human umbilical cord blood reduces neurological deficit in the rat after traumatic brain injury.Cell Transplant.11: 275–281; 2002.
13.
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21.
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