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Scar tissue can be "reprogrammed" into heart muscle
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have shown that it is possible to "reprogram" scar tissue cells that form after a heart attack so that they become functional muscle cells.
A "cocktail" of three specific genes may target scar cells to stimulate the growth of blood vessels, leading to scar healing.
"The idea of reprogramming scar tissue into functional heart muscle is just fascinating," said Dr. Todd Rosengart, lead author of the study. "Theoretically, if a person had a massive heart attack, a doctor could inject these three genes into the scar tissue during surgery and 'reprogram' it into heart muscle. However, animal studies have shown that when combined with the VEGF gene, this effect is enhanced."
The researchers say they will continue to study this effect to understand the activity of these genes and determine whether they might have a greater effect on the function of the heart and other human organs.
During a heart attack, the blood supply to the heart is cut off, causing the heart muscle to die and the heart to work harder. Eventually, most people who have had serious heart attacks will develop heart failure.
'Reprogramming' scar tissue into heart muscle will strengthen the heart. To perform this 'reprogramming' during surgery, the team of scientists transferred vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a signaling protein produced by cells to stimulate vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, into the hearts of rats.
Three weeks later, the rats were given Gata4, Mef 2c, Tbx5 (a cocktail of transcription factor genes), or inactive material. The transcription factor binds to specific DNA sequences and triggers a process that converts genetic information into protein.
In animals that received the gene cocktail, the amount of scar tissue was reduced by half compared to animals that did not receive the genes.
The hearts of animals that received the gene "cocktail" worked better, as demonstrated by heart contractions, than those of those who did not receive the "portion" of genes.
The effect of vascular endothelial growth factor holds real promise and could be used as part of a new technique for treating heart attack, which would minimise damage to the heart.
"This is a significant discovery with far-reaching therapeutic implications," the researchers comment. "If such 'reprogramming' can be done in the heart, it can also be done in the kidneys, brain, and other tissues. This opens up a whole new avenue for tissue regeneration."
If further research by scientists on human cells confirms its beneficial effect, it will open up new ways of treating millions of people who suffer from heart failure.