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Effects of Endothelial and Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Improving Myocardial Function in a Sheep Animal Model



Rabbani S1 ; Soleimani M2 ; Sahebjam M1 ; Imani M3 ; Nassiri SM4 ; Atashi A5 ; Joupari MD6 ; Ghiaseddin A2 ; Latifpour M1 ; Tafti SHA1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
  6. 6. National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran

Source: Journal of Tehran University Heart Center Published:2017

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction is the main cause of death worldwide. Angiogenesis, a promising new therapy for the treatment of diffuse coronary artery disease, shows a poor response to conventional revascularization techniques. This study focused on improving myocardial function using endothelial cells (ECs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a sheep animal model. Methods: Acute myocardial infarction was induced in 18 sheep (12 treated cases and 6 controls). Autologous MSCs and ECs were injected in the infarcted area and the border zone. Two months after transplantation, echocardiography, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results: Echocardiography in both MSC and EC groups revealed a significant improvement in the ejection fraction compared with the control group (p value < 0.05). Vascular density, estimated by antibodies against the von Willebrand factor and smooth muscle actin, increased in both study groups. The pattern of vascularity in the MSC and EC groups was diffused. The electron microscopic evaluation of the infracted areas revealed cardiomyocytes in variable stages of development in the border zone in both EC and MSC groups. Conclusion: Both ECs and MSCs were able to promote angiogenesis and improve cardiac function. Presumably, MSCs differentiate into ECs and cause angiogenesis as it occurs for ECs. © 2017, Tehran Heart Center. All rights reserved.