Cellular/tissue engineering - Cardiomyoplasty: The prospect of human stem cells

Currently, the largest ongoing effort in cellular and tissue cardiomyoplasty therapies is the search for a suitable cell source. The following are the desirable attributes of an ideal cell source: 1) autologous (not requiring immune suppression), 2) able to substantially proliferate in vitro, 3) having a similar function when compared to host cardiomyocytes, and 4) able to couple with the host cells electrically and mechanically. A number of cell types have been attempted for cellular and tissue engineering therapies in the heart.