Grant: Operating Grant

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Canada. Unfortunately there are no effective therapies available that can provide permanent solution to the problem. Identifying, new research approaches that can offer potentially curative therapies for this disease are needed. The stem cell transplantation has emerged as a novel therapy for the treatment of heart disease. Bone marrow derived allogeneic (unrelated donor) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from young healthy donors have emerged as ideal candidates for cardiac repair. Because these cells are highly proliferative and have the ability to suppress host immune system and survive in the heart after transplantation. Furthermore, there are no ethical issues involved with these cells. The initial clinical trials reported that allogeneic MSCs were safe to the patients and transplanted cells improved the heart function. However, transplanted MSCs were recognized by the recipient immune system and were rejected. Therefore the objectives of the present proposal are to study the mechanisms of transplanted stem cell rejection and to find out the strategies to increase their survival in the heart. The outcome of our study will impact the current status of allogeneic stem cell therapy and help in interpreting the results of the current clinical trials, and to carefully design future trials. The long-term objectives of this research are directed toward improving the quality of life of patients with heart disease by stem cell therapy. The outcome of this research will have a major impact on society and Canada's health delivery system by substantially reducing expensive medications and long term patient care.