Endogenous cardiac stem cell (CSC)

Endogenous cardiac stem cells (CSCs) are resident progenitor cells within the heart that contribute to tissue homeostasis and repair following injury, such as myocardial infarction, by differentiating into cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. They exert therapeutic effects primarily through paracrine mechanisms, secreting growth factors like VEGF and HGF to promote angiogenesis, reduce apoptosis, and modulate inflammation, while also supporting revascularization and limiting fibrosis. Subpopulations such as c-kit+ CSCs improve cardiac function post-infarction by decreasing hypertrophy, and Sca-1+ CSCs enhance vascular proliferation via pathways like sVCAM-1/VLA-4 signaling. Clinical trials like SCIPIO (using c-kit+ CSCs) and CADUCEUS (using cardiosphere-derived cells) have demonstrated reductions in infarct size, improved left ventricular ejection fraction, and decreased cardiac events in heart failure patients, though results vary due to cell retention issues. Despite promising regenerative potential in ischemic cardiomyopathy, challenges persist in consistent engraftment and avoiding pro-fibrotic effects, positioning CSCs as a focus for autologous cell therapies in cardiovascular disease.

Other names

Cardiac stem cellcardiac progenitor cell (CPC)cardiosphere-derived cell (CDC)c-kit+ CSCSca-1+ CSCBmi1+ CSCcardiac atrial stromal cell (CASC)epicardial progenitor cell (EpC)

Differentiation into cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells; Paracrine secretion of growth factors (e.g., VEGF, ET-1, IGFBP-3, HGF); Activation of signaling pathways (e.g., HIF-1α/IL-22/Bmi1, PI3K/Akt/mTOR); Promotion of angiogenesis and revascularization; Reduction of hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation