[Autologous bone marrow stromal cell transplantation with application of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor improves rabbit cardiac performance after acute myocardial infarction]

Abstract

Objective: To test the effect of autologus marrow stromal cells (MSCs) transplantation combined with application of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the function of ischemic hearts in vivo.

Methods: Acute myocardial infarction was induced in rabbits by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, and autologous MSCs labeled with BrdU in vitro was introduced in the infarct area of the same donor rabbit. G-CSF was administered by subcutaneous injection for 5 consecutive days. Four weeks later, the transplanted MSCs were detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy and the cardiac function of the rabbits was examined by echocardiogram and multichannel physiological recorder. The myocardial infarct size was measured on the mid-transverse sections stained with Masson's trichrome.

Results: Four weeks after transplantation, the MSCs were found to undergo myogenic differentiation with expressions of alpha-sarcomeric actin and connexin 43 in the intercalated disk. MSC transplantation in combination with G-CSF administration improved the left ventricular contractility and markedly reduced myocardial infarct size as compared with cell transplantation without G-CSF.

Conclusion: Application of G-CSF following autologous MSC transplantation may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic heart disease.