Transplantation Of Autologous Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transfected Ex Vivo By ANG Or VEGF Gene In A Porcine Chronic Ischemic Heart Model

Objective: To investigate the effect of the transplantation of autologous marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected ex vivo by ANG or VEGF gene in a porcine chronic ischemic heart model. Methods: MSCs were isolated by combination of gradient centrifugation of Percoll and preplating treatment, then were cultured and transfected by Ad.ANG or Ad.VEGF. The pigs underwent placement of ameroid occluder around LCx and 4 weeks later were randomized to treatment with the transplantation of the transfected MSCs. Four weeks after initiation of therapy, the animals were evaluated by regional perfusion, Rentrop score, EF, FS, RSWT and the percentage of infarct area, vessel density, TUNEL staining, fluorescence observation of implanted cell and western blot. Results: The high purified MSCs possessed the capabilities of rapid proliferation and pluripotential differentiation. The transduction efficiency of adenovirus to MSCs was high and all animals showed 95% occlusion of LCx. 4 weeks after treatment, the perfusion of LCx, EF, FS, RSWT were greatly enhanced with a large number of labeled MSCs successful engraftment in the MSCs transfected by ANG or VEGF groups. The vessels counting increased while TUNEL staining positive cells decreased, with high expression of target protein were in the above two group. Conclusions: Transplantation of autologous MSCs transfected ex vivo by ANG or VEGF gene offers obvious advantages of the diffused survival of implanted cells in myocardium and the great improvement of blood supply and the heart function.