Acne Scars

Cell Transplant. 2009 Apr 6; Seidel M, Borczyńnska A, Rozwadowska N, Kurpisz MSatellite cells are committed precursor cells residing in the skeletal muscle. These cells provide an almost unlimited regeneration potential to the muscle, contrary to the heart which, although proved to contain cardiac stem cells, possesses a very limited ability for self renewal. The idea that myoblasts (satellite cell progenies) may repopulate postinfarction scar occurred around mid-1990s. Encouraging results of preclinical studies triggered extensive research which led to the onset of clinical trials. These trials have shown that autologous skeletal myoblast transplantation to cure heart failure is feasible and relatively safe (observed incidences of arrhythmia). Since most of the initial studies on myoblast application into post-ischemic heart have been carried out as an adjunct to routine surgical procedures, the true clinical outcome of such therapy in regard to cell implantation is blurred and requires to be elucidated. The mechanism by which implantation of skeletal myoblast may improve heart function is not clear, especially in the light of inability of these cells to couple electromechanically with a host myocardium. Successful myoblast therapy depends on a number of factors including: delivery to the target tissue, long term survival, efficacious engraftment, differentiation into cardiomyocytes and integration into the new, unique micro-environment. All these steps constitute a potential goal for cell manipulation aiming to improve the overall outcome of such therapy. Precise understanding of the mechanism by which cells improve cardiac function is essential in giving the sensible direction of further research.