A recent study has discovered a quicker and more efficient method to rewire scar tissue cells (fibroblasts) into sound heart muscle cells.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill have developed a more effective technique for reprogramming scar tissue cells (fibroblasts) to transform them into healthy cardiac muscle cells. Their findings were reported in the journal Cell Stem Cell (cardiomyocytes). After a heart attack or as a result of a cardiac condition, fibroblasts create the fibrous, stiff tissue that results in heart failure.

The researchers found that fibroblast-to-neuron conversion triggered a set of cardiomyocyte genes. This activation was caused by Ascl1, one of the master-programmer "transcription factor" proteins used to construct the neurons.

Ascl1 triggered the genes for cardiomyocytes; hence upon adding it to the three transcription factor combinations, they had been using to make cardiomyocytes to its effect. They were astounded to discover that Ascl1had a ten-fold boost in reprogramming efficiency, or the proportion of successfully reprogrammed cells. 

(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/researchers-identify-protein-partners-that-might-reprogram-scar-tissue-cells-repair-heart-muscle-101665153471213.html)