Autologous transplantation of arterial cells improves cardiac function in a rabbit model of infarcted myocardium

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) α-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. © Copyright 2010, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.