The Role of Chemokines in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Homing to Myocardium

A growing body of preclinical evidence suggests that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are effective for the structural and functional recovery of the infracted heart. Accordingly, clinical trials are underway to determine the benefit of MSC-based therapies. While systemic administration of MSCs is an attractive strategy, and is the route currently used for the administration of MSCs in clinical studies for myocardial infarction, the majority of infused cells do not appear to localize to infracted myocardium in animal studies. Recently, important progress has been made in identifying chemokine receptors critical for the migration and homing of MSCs. Here, we review recent literature regarding mechanisms of MSC homing and recruitment to the ischemic myocardium, and discuss potential influences of low engraftment rates of systemically administered MSCs to the infracted heart tissue on the effects of MSC-based therapies on myocardial infarction.