How do you mend a broken heart? New research suggests that stem cells encapsulated in a polymer nanogel may do the trick.
By cocooning cardiac stem cells in poly(N-isopropylacrylamine-co-acrylic acid), i.e., P(NIPAM-AA) nanogel, researchers were able to protect the stem cells from the immune system as the cells rebuilt damaged heart muscle in mice and pigs. The polymer gel also acts as a scaffold that keeps the stem cells in place, says Ke Cheng, an associate professor of regenerative medicine at the North Carolina State Univ. School of Veterinary Medicine.
Stem cells are a promising treatment for rebuilding damaged tissue. These cells can differentiate into multiple cell types, depending on the type of stem cells used. But there are two major barriers to stem cell treatments. The first is low retention: Only a handful of the cells injected into damaged tissue tend to stay put. The second is the immune system. Unless the stem cells come from the person’s own body, which is not always realistic, the immune system...
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