Evaluation of host stem cell-derived cardiac myocytes in consecutive biopsies in long-term cardiac transplant patients.

Background: Bone marrow-derived stem cells are involved in tissue formation in transplanted organs. In human renal cell transplants, recipient-specific cells have been shown to participate in regeneration of interstitial tissue. In hepatic transplants, hepatocytes with a recipient sex chromosome pattern have been observed.

Recipient-derived hepatocytes in liver transplants: a rare event in sex-mismatched transplants.

Bone marrow-derived stem cells have been shown to engraft and populate native tissues during repair and in transplanted animal tissues. Very few studies have been performed in humans to evaluate the possibility of stem cell engraftment in transplanted tissues. In human renal transplants, recipient cells have been demonstrated within vascular and interstitial structures.