Drug makes hearts repair themselves (heart, muscle, tissue, chemical)

[Brian.Pearson]

The researchers at University College London looked at a group of cells which are able to transform into different types of heart tissue in an embryo.


In adults epicardium-derived progenitor cells line the heart, but have become dormant.


Scientists used a chemical, thymosin beta 4, to "wake them up".
Professor Paul Riley, from the University College London, said: "The adult epicardial cells which line the muscle of the heart can be activated, move inward and give rise to new heart muscle."