In our 19-year history, this is the third time the Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal has devoted an entire issue to the topic of cardiovascular generation. That fact alone indicates the speed with which research is occurring and the critical focus on restoring tissue and function to the hearts of millions of patients compromised by cardiovascular disease.
Our first regeneration issue in 2013 was published amidst widespread scientific enthusiasm and clinical trials in regenerative surgery that were just beginning to penetrate the tip of the regenerative iceberg. Two years later, a follow-up issue revisited the topic in the context of vascular processes related to atherosclerosis, featuring research being done in the Houston Methodist Research Institute’s Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration. Now, 10 years after our initial exploration of this topic, we are seeing the culmination of decades-long research, showing that therapeutic cardiac regeneration to repair myocardial damage may be feasible in the human heart.
In this issue, we explore how engineered heart tissues are facilitating the study of heart failure in vitro, how targeting long non-coding RNAs involved in endothelial angiogenesis is showing therapeutic potential, how modulation of factors and signaling pathways is increasing cardiomyocyte proliferation and improving cardiac function following adult heart injury, and even how skeletal muscle, during exercise, releases angiogenic factors and cytokines that drive tissue vascular regeneration by activating endothelial cells. These topics highlight progress made by some of the most respected and innovative researchers in cardiovascular regeneration. My sincerest thanks to all our authors who have shared their research and insights, and especially to the guest editor who directed this issue—our own John Cooke, MD, PhD.
Learn more in our Special Collections, featuring case reports, interactive CME cases, and other articles offering CME credit. I encourage you to submit case reports and share your insights on social media by using #DeBakeyCVjournal at @debakeyCVedu.
Thank you for your interest in the Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal. If you haven’t already signed up for our quarterly issues online, be sure to subscribe now.
Miguel A. Quiñones, MD, MACC, FASE
Editor-in-Chief
Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal
Winters Family Distinguished Centennial Chair
in Cardiovascular Education, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center