Methods, compositions, and kits for repairing damaged myocardium and/or myocardialcells including the administration of cytokines, variants of cytokines, cardiacstem cells, or combinations thereof are disclosed and claimed. In addition,methods, compositions, and kits for forming coronary vasculature includingthe administration of cytokines, variants of cytokines, cardiac stem cells,or combinations thereof are described. In particular, administration of variantsof hepatocyte growth factor, such as NK1, 1K1, and HP11, are useful for the repairand/or regeneration of damaged myocardium or formation of coronary vasculature.Methods of activating cardiac stem cells in vitro are also disclosed.
