Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging - Martin G. Rodriguez-Porcel

Role of the renin angiotensin system in the homing of stem cells in the myocardium

After transplantation, a small percentage (<10%) of stem cells home and stay in the myocardium. The reasons for that phenomenon are unclear. The renin angiotensin system plays a key role in the remodeling of the post-infarct myocardium (in which therapy with stem cells in intended). In this project, we use state-of-the-art molecular imaging to study the role of the renin angiotensin system and how that may impact the homing and survival of stem cells to the myocardium. Understanding the biology behind the homing of stem cells will be critical to advance the field of cardiac cell therapy.