Targeted Cell Delivery of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease Applications: A Review of Preclinical Advancements

This review highlights recent preclinical advancements in enhancing the targeted delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cardiovascular disease treatment. Traditional delivery methods face challenges like poor cell viability and retention. To overcome these, novel strategies involving physical, chemical, and genetic modifications are being explored to improve MSC homing and retention at disease sites. These include using nanocarriers, magnetic devices, and overexpressing cell adhesion proteins. Despite promising results in ischemic models, challenges such as potential immune reactions and scalability remain. Future research is needed to optimize these strategies for clinical applications, offering hope for patients with ischemic cardiovascular diseases.