International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tadahisa Sugiura

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Guest Editor

Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, The Bronx, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
Interests: cardiac regenerative therapy; Induced pluripotent stem cell; stem cell therapy; transcatheter therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Regenerative therapy has recently emerged for treating cardiovascular diseases, and numerous preclinical and clinical studies using various types of stem cells and tissue engineering have been proven to improve organ functions. For example, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells represent an unlimited source of a variety of cells because of their great potential for differentiation and are therefore one of the most promising sources of cells for cardiovascular regenerative therapy.

This Special Issue calls for both original articles and reviews, providing the readers of IJMS with a comprehensive elucidation about cardiovascular regenerative therapy, tissue engineering, stem cell therapy, and stem cell biology.

Dr. Tadahisa Sugiura
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

cardiac regenerative therapy
tissue engineering
stem cell biology
stem cell therapy
induced pluripotent stem cell

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 5964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dihydrotestosterone Augments the Angiogenic and Migratory Potential of Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells by an Androgen Receptor-Dependent Mechanism

by Mirel Adrian Popa, Cristina Maria Mihai, Viorel Iulian Șuică, Felicia Antohe, Raghvendra K. Dubey, Brigitte Leeners and Maya Simionescu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4862; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094862 - 29 Apr 2024

Viewed by 538

Abstract

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a critical role in cardiovascular regeneration. Enhancement of their native properties would be highly beneficial to ensuring the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. As androgens have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, we hypothesized that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) could also influence EPC-mediated repair processes. To evaluate this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of DHT on cultured human EPCs’ proliferation, viability, morphology, migration, angiogenesis, gene and protein expression, and ability to integrate into cardiac tissue. The results showed that DHT at different concentrations had no cytotoxic effect on EPCs, significantly enhanced the cell proliferation and viability and induces fast, androgen-receptor-dependent formation of capillary-like structures. DHT treatment of EPCs regulated gene expression of androgen receptors and the genes and proteins involved in cell migration and angiogenesis. Importantly, DHT stimulation promoted EPC migration and the cells’ ability to adhere and integrate into murine cardiac slices, suggesting it has a role in promoting tissue regeneration. Mass spectrometry analysis further highlighted the impact of DHT on EPCs’ functioning. In conclusion, DHT increases the proliferation, migration, and androgen-receptor-dependent angiogenesis of EPCs; enhances the cells’ secretion of key factors involved in angiogenesis; and significantly potentiates cellular integration into heart tissue. The data offer support for potential therapeutic applications of DHT in cardiovascular regeneration and repair processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Stem Cell Biology for Cardiovascular Regeneration)

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Review

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13 pages, 937 KiB

Open AccessReview

Current Status of Cardiac Regenerative Therapy Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

by Tadahisa Sugiura, Dhienda C. Shahannaz and Brandon E. Ferrell

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 5772; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115772 - 26 May 2024

Viewed by 299

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a life-threatening disorder and is treated by drug therapies and surgical interventions such as heart transplantation and left ventricular assist device (LVAD). However, these treatments can lack effectiveness in the long term and are associated with issues such as donor shortage in heart transplantation, and infection, stroke, or gastrointestinal bleeding in LVADs. Therefore, alternative therapeutic strategies are still needed. In this respect, stem cell therapy has been introduced for the treatment of HF and numerous preclinical and clinical studies are employing a range of stem cell varieties. These stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), have been shown to improve cardiac function and attenuate left ventricular remodeling. IPSCs, which have a capacity for unlimited proliferation and differentiation into cardiomyocytes, are a promising cell source for myocardial regeneration therapy. In this review, we discuss the following topics: (1) what are iPSCs; (2) the limitations and solutions for the translation of iPSC-CMs practically; and (3) the current therapeutic clinical trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Stem Cell Biology for Cardiovascular Regeneration)

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