Using Extracellular Matrix-Derived Peptides to Alter the Microenvironment for Myocardial Repair

Myocardial repair remains a major challenge for both cellular and tissue engineering approaches. Several studies have been conducted looking at utilizing extracellular matrix-based therapies to promote repair after a myocardial infarction. In this review, strategies for treating myocardial infarctions using extracellular matrix-derived peptides are discussed. Using an ischemia/reperfusion myocardial infarction rodent model, we showed that extracellular-matrix-derived peptides were able to induce angiogenesis and alter the negative remodeling seen after a myocardial infarction. This therapy opens up a potentially new non-invasive strategy for repairing damaged cardiac tissue.