Open AccessIFATS Collection: Human Adipose Tissue‐Derived Stem Cells Induce Angiogenesis and Nerve Sprouting Following Myocardial Infarction, in Conjunction with Potent Preservation of Cardiac Function
Author(s) -
Cai Liying,
Johnstone Brian H.,
Cook Todd G.,
Tan Jian,
Fishbein Michael C.,
Chen PengSheng,
March Keith L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1634/stemcells.2008-0273
Subject(s) - stromal vascular fraction , myocardial infarction , sprouting angiogenesis , angiogenesis , cardiac function curve , biology , stem cell , medicine , cardiology , ejection fraction , adipose tissue , neovascularization , heart failure , microbiology and biotechnology
The administration of therapeutic cell types, such as stem and progenitor cells, has gained much interest for the limitation or repair of tissue damage caused by a variety of insults. However, it is still uncertain whether the morphological and functional benefits are mediated predominantly via cell differentiation or paracrine mechanisms. Here, we assessed the extent and mechanisms of adipose‐derived stromal/stem cells (ASC)‐dependent tissue repair in the context of acute myocardial infarction. Human ASCs in saline or saline alone was injected into the peri‐infarct region in athymic rats following left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation. Cardiac function and structure were evaluated by serial echocardiography and histology. ASC‐treated rats consistently exhibited better cardiac function, by all measures, than control rats 1 month following LAD occlusion. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and fractional shortening were improved in the ASC group, whereas LV remodeling and dilation were limited in the ASC group compared with the saline control group. Anterior wall thinning was also attenuated by ASC treatment, and post‐mortem histological analysis demonstrated reduced fibrosis in ASC‐treated hearts, as well as increased peri‐infarct density of both arterioles and nerve sprouts. Human ASCs were persistent at 1 month in the peri‐infarct region, but they were not observed to exhibit significant cardiomyocyte differentiation. Human ASCs preserve heart function and augment local angiogenesis and cardiac nerve sprouting following myocardial infarction predominantly by the provision of beneficial trophic factors. S TEM C ELLS 2009;27:230–237