A Brief History in Cardiac Regeneration, and How the Extra Cellular Matrix May Turn the Tide

Tissue homeostasis is perturbed by stressful events, which can lead to organ dysfunction and failure. This particularly true for the heart, where injury resulting from myocardial infarction or ischemic heart disease result in a cascading event ultimately ending with loss of functional tissue To help reverse this healthy contractile tissue, researchers have spent decades hopes characterizing cell source capable regenerating injured heart. Unfortunately, these strategies proven be ineffective. With goal truly understanding cardiac regeneration, focused on innate regenerative abilities zebrafish neonatal mammals. has led realization that although cells play an important role repair diseased myocardium, inducing regeneration may instead lie composition extra cellular milieu, specifically matrix. In review we will briefly summarize current knowledge regarding sources used approaches, since been extensively reviewed elsewhere. More importantly, revisiting observed mammals, stress importance matrix reactivating potential adult myocardium. Finally, address how harness ability guide thereby setting stage next generation strategies.