An implanted graft of cardiac cells derived from human stem cells (green) meshed with a monkey's own heart cells (red). Picture: Murry Lab\/University of Washington\/PA <\/p>\n
Stem cell heart repair treatments could be tested on human patients within four years following a ground-breaking study of monkeys. <\/p>\n
Scientists successfully restored damaged cardiac muscle in macaque monkeys suffering the after-effects of experimentally induced heart attacks, paving the way to clinical trials. <\/p>\n
Researchers injected 1bn immature heart muscle cells derived from human embryonic stem cells into each animals heart. <\/p>\n
Over several weeks, the new cells developed, assembled into muscle fibres, and began to beat in correct time. On average, 40% of the damaged heart tissue was regenerated. <\/p>\n
It is the first time stem cell therapy for damage caused by heart attacks has been shown to work in a primate. <\/p>\n
Lead scientist Prof Charles Murry, director of the Centre for Cardiovascular Biology at the University of Washington in Seattle, said: Before this study, it was not known if it is possible to produce sufficient numbers of these cells and successfully use them to remuscularise damaged hearts in a large animal whose heart size and physiology is similar to that of the human heart. <\/p>\n
He expects the treatment to be ready for clinical trials in human patients within four years. <\/p>\n
Heart attack symptoms were triggered in the monkeys by blocking the coronary artery the main artery supplying the heart with blood for 90 minutes. <\/p>\n
In humans, the reduced blood flow caused by narrowing of the arteries has a similar effect. Lack of blood flow to the heart damages the heart muscle by depriving it of oxygen. <\/p>\n
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