Direct injection of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells improves myocardial function

Yifu Zhou, Suna Wang, Zuxi Yu, Robert F. Hoyt, Vandana Sachdev, Pamela Vincent, Andrew E. Arai, Minjung Kwak, Sandra Sczerba Burkett, Keith A. Horvath

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cell-based therapies have been employed with conflicting results. Whether direct injection of ex-vivo expanded autologous marrow stromal cells (MSCs) would improve the function of ischemic myocardium and enhance angiogenesis is not well defined. In a porcine model of chronic ischemia, MSCs were isolated and cultured for 4 weeks. Sixteen animals were random divided into two groups to receive either direct intramyocardial injection of autologous MSCs, or equal volumes and injections sites of saline. Cine MRI and epicardial echocardiography were performed just prior to the injections and again 6 weeks later at the time of sacrifice at which point tissue was also analyzed. Myocardial function as assessed by regional wall thickening (as measured by dobutamine stress echocardiograms) demonstrated a 40.9% improvement after cell treatment of the ischemic zone (p = 0.016) whereas the saline treated animals only had a 3.7% change (p = 0.82) compared to baseline. The left ventricular ejection fractions of MSC group showed 19.5% improvement from baseline 35.9 ± 3.8% to 42.9 ± 5.8% (p = 0.049). Increased vascularity was found in the MSC group compared to controls (0.80 ± 0.30 vs 0.50 ± 0.19 capillary/myocyte ratio, p = 0.018). Direct injection of autologous MSCs promotes angiogenesis and enhances the functional improvements following chronic myocardial ischemia. This suggests that the angiogenesis engendered by cell treatment may be physiologically meaningful by improving the contractility of ischemic myocardium.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)902-907
Number of pages6
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume390
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 18 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Mesenchymal stromal cells
  • Myocardial function
  • Myocardial ischemia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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