VEGF-expressing Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation Improved Heart Function of Myocardial Infarct Rabbits

Objectives To treat myocardial infarction with MSCs transplantation combined with VEGF gene therapy in rabbits and to study its mechanisms. Methods Forty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into MI group (n=12), MSCs group (n=12), VEGF group (n = 12), MSCs VEGF group (M V group, n = 12). Rabbit myocardial infarction models were founded by the ligation of left anterior descending artery. 107 MSCs were injected into the infarct-zone in four sites 2 weeks later in MSCs and M V group. phVEGF gene were injected in infarct-zone in VEGF group and MSCs transfected with phVEGF gene were injected in M V group. Heart function including LVEDP, LVSP, LVDP, -dp/dtmax dp/dtmax, were measured in vivo. The hearts were harvested at 4 weeks after transplantation and sectioned for HE stain, immunohistochemical stain of BrdU andⅧfactor antigen. Results The left ventricular hemodynamics parameters showed that heart function were improved more in M V group than MSCs group, MI group and VEGF group. The numbers of BrdU positive cells in M V group(61±8)were more than in MSCs group (44±8, P < 0.01). The numbers of vessels in infarcted zone were more in M V group (49±8) than in MSCs group (33±6, P < 0.01 ),VEGF group(30±8, P<0.01)and MI group (18±4, P<0.01). Conclusions VEGF- expressing MSCs transplantation could improve heart function after myocardial infarction, and they were more effective than sole MSCs transplantation. Keeping more MSCs survival and ameliorating the blood supply of infarct-zone might be involved in the mechanisms.

VEGF-expressing Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation Improved Heart Function of Myocardial Infarct Rabbits