Cardiovascular diseases are the main reason for morbidity in developed
countries, and congestive heart failure represents the major health burden. Although
clinical application of cardiac regeneration is still in its infancy, studies on rodents have
proven its feasibility. Also, the technique of direct cardiac reprogramming has unveiled
new paths for the success of cardiac regeneration, wherein one cell type can be directly
converted into the cardiac myocytes without involving the pluripotent intermediate cell.
Firstly designed for the management of cancer, nanotechnology has opened up newer
vistas for direct cardiac reprogramming for cardiac regeneration. This chapter discusses
cardiac regeneration and the limitations of current approaches to cardiac regeneration
in brief. Direct cardiac reprogramming involving both in-vitro and in-vivo trials has
been duly explored to enlighten the readers. An attempt has been made by the
contributors to elaborate the various approaches of nanotechnology such as
nanomaterials and stem cells in regenerative medicine and their impact on direct
cardiac reprogramming. This chapter involves an exhaustive effort of the contributors
to enlighten the understanding of a broad readership about the nanotechnology-based
direct cardiac reprogramming for cardiac regeneration.
Keywords: Cardiac regeneration, Cardiac reprogramming, Cardiomyocytes,
Cardiac fibroblasts, Nanotechnology, Stem cell therapy.
