Drugs to Promote Heart Self-Regeneration

With the advent of stem cells and other manipulative cell and gene therapies, there exists an even greater biological coup, the ability to promote organ self-regeneration. One such organ, the heart, is composed of multiple cells; cardiomyocytes make up most of the cardiac tissue. These myocytes are non-differentiable, meaning they cannot regrow or regenerate if damaged. Scientists at Hydra Biosciences in Boston believe the answer for heart regeneration is found in a protein-based drug molecule that penetrates the myocytes and suppresses production of an enzyme known as p38. P38 is known in to limit tissue growth, so with p38 turned off, mature heart muscle cells should de-differentiate and regrow.

In the article found in Popular Science magazine, Hydra states, "Patients will use a self-delivery device, such as an inhaler or supersonic drug gun, to propel the regenerative protein molecules into their bloodstream. The circulating molecules will bind to receptors on the surfaces of their damaged heart-muscle cells, touching off a chemical reaction that mutes the activity of genes inhibiting cell division. Once this biological switch has been thrown, new heart cells will begin to develop, filling in the dead-tissue gaps. The result: Within a few weeks, heart-muscle function will be permanently restored."

Pre-clinical trials reveal rat models with induced heart attacks could regenerate up to 20% of the damaged heart tissue with treatments of CRF-1, one of the "regenerative protein" compounds under investigation.

Surely, this bridge to recovery would evoke much interest in organ self-regeneration drugs, but questions remain as human trials have yet to be done.

http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2006-06/2021-youll-grow-new-heart