Methods and compositions for the repair and/or regeneration of damaged myocardium

Abstract

Methods, compositions, and kits for repairing damaged myocardium and/or myocardial cells including the administration of stem cells, such as adult stem cells, optionally with cytokines are disclosed and claimed.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for repairing and/or generating and/or regenerating myocardium and/or myocardial cells comprising the administration of hematopoietic stem cells.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administered hematopoietic stem cells are lineage negative.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the administered lineage negative hematopoietic stem cells are c-kit POS .  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a therapeutically effective dose of hematopoietic stem cells are delivered to the heart.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose of the hematopoietic stem cells is 2×10 4 -1×10 5  cells.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose is delivered to the border area of the damaged myocardium and/or myocardial cells.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose is administered by injection.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose is injected intramyocardially.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose is injected trans-epicardially or transendocardially.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein with the trans-endocardial approach a catheter-based approach is used.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the administered hematopoietic stem cells migrate into the damaged myocardium and/or myocardial cells.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the delivered hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into one or more of the following types of cells selected from the group consisting of: 
 a. myocyctes;    b. smooth muscle cells; and    c. endothelial cells.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the differentiated hematopoietic stem cells proliferate.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the differentiated hematopoietic stem cells assemble into myocardium and/or myocardial cells.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the differentiated hematopoietic stem cells assemble into a coronary artery.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the differentiated hematopoietic stem cells assemble into an arteriole.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the differentiated hematopoietic stem cells assemble into a capillary.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the differentiated hematopoietic stem cells at least partially restore structural and functional integrity to the damaged myocardium and/or myocardial cells.  
     
     
         19 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of hematopoietic stein cells.  
     
     
         20 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose of the hematopoietic stem cells is 2×10 4 -1×10 5  cells.