Abstract: The present invention provides a gene delivery vehicle comprising a heterologous genome capable of upregulating the expression of HMGCS2 in human heart and, in particular, in the cardiomyocyte (CM). Upregulating the expression of HMBCS2 causes a metabolic switch that facilitates CM dedifferentiation and regeneration under myocardial infarction or hypoxic conditions. The present invention also provides a method of therapy for protection and/or regeneration of the human heart and, in particular, in the CM by administration of the composition of the present invention to the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for maintaining a population of therapeutic cells administered to a treatment site in a subject in need of cell therapy for a period of time. The methods include administering a therapeutically-effective amount of therapeutic cells and an effective amount of a biodegradable material to the treatment site. The biodegradable material includes a hyaluronan compound and has an in vivo degradation profile similar to that of a hyaluronic acid having a molecular weight of 20 kDa to 2,000 kDa.