幹細胞研究と治療のジャーナル

概要

Transdifferentiation during Heart Regeneration

Xianmei Meng

Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Transdifferentiation, also called direct reprogramming, is a process where a mature somatic cell transforms into another distinct cell type. Rapidly accumulating studies have suggested that transdifferentiation of mature somatic cells into cardiomyocytes and other cell types has provided tremendous hope for the treatment of heart disease. Here I summarize the recent advances, specifically regarding the strategies used for transdifferentiation of cardiac cells during heart regeneration.