Cardiac Muscle Tissue Regeneration

Cardiac muscle tissue regeneration refers to the process by which damaged or lost heart muscle (myocardium) is replaced or repaired, restoring cardiac function. In adult humans and most mammals, this regenerative capacity is extremely limited; after injury such as myocardial infarction, the heart typically forms scar tissue rather than regenerating functional myocardium. However, certain vertebrates like zebrafish and newts can regenerate their hearts throughout life by proliferating existing cardiomyocytes. Key mechanisms involve cardiomyocyte proliferation, partial de-differentiation, progenitor cell activation, and metabolic reprogramming. Several signaling pathways (FGF/p38 MAPK inhibition; Periostin; NRG1; Nodal/BMP/Wnt) regulate these processes. Tissue engineering approaches are also being developed using human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Understanding these mechanisms is central to developing therapies aimed at true myocardial repair.

Other names

Myocardial RegenerationHeart Muscle Regeneration