Transdifferentiation of Blood-Derived Human Adult Endothelial Progenitor Cells Into Functionally Active Cardiomyocytes

Abstract

EPCs from healthy volunteers and CAD patients can transdifferentiate in vitro into functionally active cardiomyocytes when cocultivated with rat cardiomyocytes. Cell-to-cell contact but not cellular fusion mediates EPC transdifferentiation. The therapeutic use of autologous EPCs may aid cardiomyocyte regeneration in patients with ischemic heart disease.