Reprogrammed Adult Stem Cells Could Repair Heart Damage

July 21, 2009 5:56 a.m. EST

Rochester, MN (AHN) - Researchers with the Mayo Clinic say they have demonstrated that stem cells converted from adult cells can be used to treat heart damage.

The cells are known as induced pluripotent stem cells. The researchers reprogrammed ordinary cells that contribute to scars - like those resulting from heart attacks - and converted them into stem cells that can fix heart damage caused by heart attacks.

The study appears in the latest edition of the journal Circulation.

According to a Mayo Clinic statement, this was the first time induced pluripotent stem cell technology was used for heart therapy. The technology had previously been studied to treat Parkinson's disease, sickle cell anemia and hemophilia A.

The Mayo researchers said the ultimate goal is to use these stem cells to repair injury, and that using a person's own stem cells eliminates the risk of rejection and using anti-rejection drugs.