Reprogramming-derived gene cocktail increases cardiomyocyte proliferation for heart regeneration.

Although remnant cardiomyocytes (CMs) possess a certain degree of proliferative ability, efficiency is too low for cardiac regeneration after injury. In this study, we identified a distinct stage within the initiation phase of CM reprogramming before the MET process, and microarray analysis revealed the strong up-regulation of several mitosis-related genes at this stage of reprogramming. Several candidate genes were selected and tested for their ability to induce CM proliferation.

Distribution of Systemically Administered Nanoparticles Reveals a Size-Dependent Effect Immediately following Cardiac Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Nanoparticles represent an attractive option for systemic delivery of therapeutic compounds to the heart following myocardial infarction. However, it is well known that physicochemical properties of nanoparticles such as size, shape and surface modifications can vastly alter the distribution and uptake of injected nanoparticles. Therefore, we aimed to provide an examination of the rapid size-dependent uptake of fluorescent PEG-modified polystyrene nanoparticles administered immediately following cardiac ischaemia-reperfusion injury in mice.

Research Spotlight: Functionalized nanoparticles for future cardiovascular medicine.

All research investment has the goal of improving quality of life and health status. In recent years, the emerging technologies in nanomedicine research provide us a new frontier in the fight against human disease. By taking advantage of the unique physicochemical properties of nanoparticles (NPs), nanomedicine where drugs are blended into nanomaterials readily offers a wide range of applications in the tracing, diagnosis and treatment of disease.