Autologous Transplantation of Arterial Cells Improves Cardiac Function in a Rabbit Model of Infarcted Myocardium


Tokac M., Aktan M., AK A., Duman S., Tokgozoglu L., AYGÜL N., ...More

STEM CELLS AND DEVELOPMENT, vol.19, no.6, pp.927-934, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 19 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.1089/scd.2009.0140
  • Journal Name: STEM CELLS AND DEVELOPMENT
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.927-934
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Cellular cardiomyoplasty is a promising approach for the treatment of severe heart failure. However, the question which cell line is the best to use is still a matter of debate. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of arterial media-intima cell suspension (AMICS) transplantation in rabbit myocardial infarct model. The study was divided into 2 groups: group A (the cell-treated group, n = 9) and group B (the medium injection group, n = 8). Group A was further divided into 2 subgroups as branch-1 (treated with unlabeled cells) and branch-2 (treated with iron-labeled cells). The experimental myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery with a combination of cryoinjury. Ten days after the MI, cells obtained from autologous femoral arteries were injected into the injured myocardium of group A, while group B received an injection of only DMEM medium. Clinical, echocardiographic, and histopathologic evaluations were done. As compared to the ninth day values, echocardiography showed a significant improvement in systolic functions and left ventricular (LV) dimensions of the cell-treated group on the 30th day. In the heart biopsy sections of branch-1, the immunostained injected cells were observed to exist closely, suggesting an organization. Cells existing separately and lumen-like structure organizations stained positive with both smooth muscle cell (SMC) a-actin and Prussian Blue were also showed in the histological observation of branch-2. Autologous AMICS transplantation seems to be a feasible and efficacious method for cellular cardiomyoplasty in our rabbit model.