Epicardium-derived cardiac mesenchymal stem cells expanding the outer limit of heart repair

Abstract

The epicardium is derived from the proepicardial organ, a source of multipotent progenitor cells. Epicardium contribution to the developing coronary vasculature and to cardiac interstitial cells has been established. Studies over the past several years have suggested that epicardium-derived cells can adopt cardiomyocyte and vascular smooth muscle fates and can contribute to cardiac repair when activated by injury. Recently, Chong et al 3 have provided a detailed characterization of a population of epicardium-derived multipotent cardiac progenitor cells (cCFU-Fs). These cells, which do not arise from the bone marrow, neural crest, or myocardium, resemble mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and may participate in cardiac development, homeostasis, and repair. © 2012 American Heart Association, Inc.