This title presents the major advances of the last decade in the field of cardiac regeneration.

This Volume of the series Cardiac and Vascular Biology offers a comprehensive and exciting, state-of-the-art work on the current options and potentials of cardiac regeneration and repair. Several techniques and approaches have been developed for heart failure repair: direct injection of cells, programming of scar tissue into functional myocardium, and tissue-engineered heart muscle support. The book introduces the rationale for these different approaches in cell-based heart regeneration and discusses the most important considerations for clinical translation. Expert authors discuss when, why, and how heart muscle can be salvaged. The book represents a valuable resource for stem cell researchers, cardiologists, bioengineers, and biomedical scientists studying cardiac function and regeneration.

Cardiac Regeneration and Repair, Volume Two reviews the use of biomaterials, alone or combined with cell therapy, in providing tissue-engineered constructs to repair the injured heart and prevent or reverse heart failure. Part one explores the variety of biomaterials available for cardiac repair, including nanomaterials and hydrogels. Further chapters explore the use of biomaterials to enhance stem cell therapy for restoring ventricular function and generating stem cell-modified intravascular stents. Part two focuses on tissue engineering for cardiac repair, including chapters on decellularized biologic scaffolds, synthetic scaffolds, cell sheet engineering, maturation of functional cardiac tissue patches, vascularized engineered tissues for in vivo and in vitro applications, and clinical considerations for cardiac tissue engineering. Finally, part three explores vascular remodeling, including chapters highlighting aortic extracellular matrix remodeling, cell-biomaterial interactions for blood vessel formation, and stem cells for tissue-engineered blood vessels. Cardiac Regeneration and Repair, Volume Two is complemented by an initial volume covering pathology and therapies. Together, the two volumes of Cardiac Regeneration and Repair provide a comprehensive resource for clinicians, scientists, or academicians fascinated with cardiac regeneration, including those interested in cell therapy, tissue engineering, or biomaterials. - Surveys the variety of biomaterials available for cardiac repair, including nanomaterials and hydrogels. - Focuses on tissue engineering for cardiac repair including clinical considerations for cardiac tissue engineering - Explores vascular remodeling, highlighting aortic extracellular matrix remodeling, cell-biomaterial interactions for blood vessel formation, and stem cells for tissue-engineered blood vessels

The book provides an intensive overview on exercise for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment, from basic research to clinical practice. The volume firstly summarizes the acute and chronic response to exercise. Secondly, evidence for exercise as medicine for the heart based on clinical studies and basic research is summarized. Thirdly, molecular mechanisms mediating the beneficial effects of exercise including IGF-1-PI3K-AKT signalling, NO signalling, C/EBPB-Cited4 signalling, Non-coding RNAs, epigenetic regulators, mitochondria adaption and exosomes are presented. Finally, exercise dosing, prescription and future prospects are provided. This book will provide valuable reference for researchers in cell biology, physiology, as well as physician, physical therapist in cardiology, sport medicine, etc.

Myocardial tissue engineering (MTE), a concept that intends to prolong patients’ life after cardiac damage by supporting or restoring heart function, is continuously improving. Common MTE strategies include an engineered ‘vehicle’, which may be a porous scaffold or a dense substrate or patch, made of either natural or synthetic polymeric materials. The function of the substrate is to aid transportation of cells into the diseased region of the heart and support their integration. This book, which contains chapters written by leading experts in MTE, gives a complete analysis of the area and presents the latest advances in the field. The chapters cover all relevant aspects of MTE strategies, including cell sources, specific TE techniques and biomaterials used. Many different cell types have been suggested for cell therapy in the framework of MTE, including autologous bone marrow-derived or cardiac progenitors, as well as embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, each having their particular advantages and disadvantages. The book covers a complete range of biomaterials, examining different aspects of their application in MTE, such as biocompatibility with cardiac cells, mechanical capability and compatibility with the mechanical properties of the native myocardium as well as degradation behaviour in vivo and in vitro. Although a great deal of research is being carried out in the field, this book also addresses many questions that still remain unanswered and highlights those areas in which further research efforts are required. The book will also give an insight into clinical trials and possible novel cell sources for cell therapy in MTE.

This book is a treatise on cardiomyocytes, the most important cell for the contractile function of the heart. There has been significant progress in our understanding of the function-related structure, developmental processes and their determinants, mechanisms of cell cycle regulation, post-natal growth, energy metabolism, and reversible and irreversible response of cardiomyocytes to diverse forms of physiological stress and injury. There is also more clarity on the alterations in the biological mechanisms in cardiomyocytes that lead to pathological states and the changes in the cells that occur secondary to disease conditions. Thanks to these advances in knowledge, there have been great gains in attempts to identify disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets for better management of patients with heart diseases. Possibilities to induce regeneration or proliferation of cardiomyocytes and thus repair and or regenerate the damaged heart are also on the horizon.

The Research Topic is organized in the framework of the project BIORECAR (grant number: 772168; http://www.biorecar.polito.it/index.html)

Cardiac Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols presents a collection of protocols on cardiac tissue engineering from pioneering and leading researchers around the globe. These include methods and protocols for cell preparation, biomaterial preparation, cell seeding, and cultivation in various systems. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Cardiac Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols highlights the major techniques, both experimental and computational, for the study of cardiovascular tissue engineering.