Trends Mol Med . 2020 Apr;26(4):369-379. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.01.003. Epub 2020 Feb 12.

Heart Failure and Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Kenichi Matsushita  ¹

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered a promising cell type for the treatment of heart failure (HF). In particular, MSCs in adipose tissue are being evaluated as an effective therapeutic tool. However, adipose MSCs are a major source of adipocyte generation and linked to obesity, which is an independent risk factor for HF. MSCs express all of the components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of HF. The local RAS also regulates MSC adipogenesis, indicating a connection between MSC-adipogenesis-obesity and HF. This review examines evidence of the complex relationship between HF and adipose MSCs and discusses how to explore this association for favorable therapeutic outcomes for HF.