For the first time, damaged heart tissue was restored without the help of stem cells. This break-through was achieved by US scientists using a growth factor called neuregulin 1 (NRG1). Using NRG1, they influenced the heart muscle cells to re-enter the cell cycle. This resulted in new cell formation and repair of the damaged heart tissue.

The studies done on mice and rat that suffered heart attacks are encouraging. The scientists are hopeful that one day this will lead to an alternative method to stem cell therapy, in treating heart failure in humans.

Stem cells are not-yet-adult cells, whose functions have not been defined yet. These stem cells are used to repair damaged cells of various organs like heart. Progenitor cells that have started to differentiate as adult cells, but yet to be dedicated to particular functions are also used in cell repair. However, the question remains is that whether fully differentiated and defined cells can regenerate?

Heart muscles or cardiomyocytes multiply at the fetal stage. Once the baby is born, they turn binuclear and stop proliferating any more. Dr Bernhard Kühn, who led the study team, found that adult heart cells grow at a slow rate with about half the cells replacing themselves during a lifespan.

The study team has captured the process in video. They found that NRG1 speeds up the replacement process. This discovery was made after testing the ability of various molecules in inducing cell division.

There are many areas of study remaining that needs clarification. One being whether NRG1 is responsible for the natural repair process in the body. The researchers also found that NRG1 and its receptor are found in adult heart. However, it is not yet known whether there are enough of them in the right places to produce any positive effect.

This study has opened new possibilities for patients with damaged heart muscles.

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