Heart bailout by cell therapy: introducing an acceptable test for comparing cell accountability

Cell therapy for cardiovascular disease is still in its initial phase of development and hence stringent studies are now required for comparison between available approaches using validated experimental models. The best cell for regenerative purposes should have the ability to stimulate vascular repair and cardiomyogenesis in a time-programmable fashion, cooperating with reparative processes afforded by resident cells. However, these requirements are often unreachable with individual cell types currently used in clinical trials as documented by an interesting article from Barclay and colleagues in the current issue of Stem Cell Research and Therapy.