Overexpression of C-Terminal Domain of Talin-1 Enhances Survival, Migration and Differentiation of Human Cardiac Stem Cells

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) constitute the single leading cause of death in the United States. According to the heart disease and stroke statistics released by American Heart Association in 2010, 1 out of every 2.9 deaths is due to cardiovascular disease. Even with early diagnosis and timely reperfusion of ischemic myocardium, up to 30% patients develop Left Ventricular (LV) remodeling and loss of cardiac function [1,2]. Current treatment modality of cardiac failure is mainly focused to relieve symptoms. Although cardiac transplantation has offered some hope, organ shortage, donor-recipient organ mismatch, and transplant rejection are the major challenges limiting its widespread use.