Cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells: more than heart repair alone.

One of the most-exciting and controversial discoveries of the last decade has been the isolation of embryonic stem cells from human embryos. The capacity of these cells to form all somatic cell types in the human body has captured the imagination of researcher and clinician alike, the perspectives that they represent for cell replacement therapies in multiple chronic disorders being used to justify the use of embryos for this purpose. However, there is a gradual realization that cell therapies are in the far future and some find that the other, more immediately applicable, types of research give less justification for the use of embryos.

Cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells.

Terminal heart failure is characterized by a significant loss of cardiac myocytes. Stem cells represent a possibility for replacing these lost myocytes but the question of which stem cells are most ideally suited for cell transplantation therapies is still being addressed. Here, we consider human embryonic stem cells (HESC), derived from human embryos in this context.

Cardiomyocyte differentiation from embryonic and adult stem cells.

In recent years multiple reports indicating that embryonic as well as adult stem cells can differentiate to cardiomyocytes have ignited discussions on whether these stem cells could lead to new therapies for patients with heart disease. Recent developments have been made in the generation of cardiomyocytes from both embryonic and adult stem cells, and progress towards clinical applications in patients with heart failure has been made. Nevertheless, controversies surrounding safety and transdifferentiation issues will need to be overcome before these stem cell approaches can reach their full potential.