The potential application of stem cells in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and congenital anomalies

Abstract

The functional definition of stem cells states that they are the youngest form of cells in the human organism, which possesses an outstanding capacity of self-regeneration and the ability of differentiation into specialised forms of cells. Stem cells are divided into embrional stem cells and adult stem cells. Embrional stem cells represent the youngest cells present in the human organism. They are pluripotent and have the ability to transform theselves into around 220 varieties of ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Adult stem cell are undifferentiated cells which appear in adult tissues. They, too, have the ability to self-regenerate and produce differentiated lines, however, they are multipotent and the capacity for differentiation is limited. Their basic function is that of tissue repair, once the damage has occured. Taking into account that the cardiovascular diseases represent one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality, throughout mankind, the interest in musing stem cells in treating cardiovascular diseases is in the focus of scientific research and development.