CELLS CAPABLE OF DIFFERENTIATING INTO MYOCARDIUM-LIKE CELLS

摘要

Myocardial precursor cells and myocardium-like cells which can be obtained from muscles without using embryonic stem cells or bone marrow cells and are usable in: (a) identifying and evaluating a gene relating to myocardium differentiation and regeneration; (b) transplanting cells in the case of a heart disease; (c) searching for and evaluating a compound promoting myocardium differentiation; (d) searching for and evaluating a drug elevating cell transplantation efficiency (fixation of grafted cells into a biological tissue and promotion of the function thereof); and (e) constructing a model animal for developing a preventive/a remedy for a heart disease. Compounds obtained by the above searching are usable as safe preventives and remedies for heart diseases.