Stem Cells for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine

Dear Colleagues,

Various somatic stem cells, such as cardiac stem/progenitor cells (CSCs/CPCs), have been established and studied for future use in medical fields such as regenerative medicine. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have been studied for this purpose. Using iPS-cell-derived cardiac myocytes, an in vitro disease model was established for the evaluation of the effect of treatment with drugs and chemicals. Furthermore, the environments that stem cells inhabit, such as niches, are also important as they affect the behavior of stem cells. Chemokines (e.g., SDF-1) are associated with the migration and/or proliferation of stem cells and immune cell progenitors in bone marrow. However, controversies remain in stem cell research. For example, studies have shown both the existence and non-existence of CSCs/CPCs. The variation of in vitro differentiation is the strength of iPS cells, but the reported degree of variation varies across different studies.

This Special Issue focuses on current investigations of various somatic stem cells, including bone marrow (stem) cells, CSCs/CPCs, and iPS cells, and the environmental regulation of stem cells including chemokines. We are also interested in discussing how much we have currently achieved in these fields and what may be the obstacles to the further study of stem cells in cardiovascular biology and medicine. In this context, we welcome the submission of original research, short communication, and review manuscripts.

Dr. Nanako Kawaguchi
Dr. Toshio Nakanishi
Guest Editors

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