Cell survival and redistribution after transplantation into damaged myocardium

• Introduction • Poor cell survival limits the efficacy of cell transplantation • Extracardiac cell redistribution and consequent safety issues • A hybrid approach to support cell survival and decrease cell escape Cell transplantation has become an attractive option for cardiac regenerative therapy. However, poor cell survival and extensive redistribution throughout the body can drastically affect the outcome and safety of cell therapy. Although various approaches have been attempted to support the survival and engraftment of implanted cells, we need to apply a new comprehensive strategy by melding the in vitro and in vivo approaches to recondition the cells and infarcted myocardium. Here we summarize our understanding of cell survival and migration after transplantation into the damaged heart.