[Implantation of neonatal cardiomyocytes plus artificial matrix improve heart function in a rat infarct model].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether injectable engineering heart tissue (EHT) can survive and improve heart function after transplantation into infarct area.


METHODS
Ventricular cardiomyocytes from 1-3 day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were isolated by using trypsin method, and then labeled and cultured. The left coronary of female SD rats was ligated to create a myocardial infarct model. Three weeks later, the qualified animals were randomized into four groups: EHT group (n = 12), which were transplanted with both cardiomyocytes and matrix; cell transplantation group (n = 12); matrix group (n = 12), control (n = 11). Four weeks after implantation, echocardiography and Langendorff model were used to assess heart function, and then the hearts were harvested for pathological examination. Meanwhile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect SRY gene on Y chromosome.


RESULTS
The grafted cells were identified in both EHT and cell transplantation group by either pathology or PCR. But in EHT group, transplanted cells formed more condensed tissue, and produced definite connected protein. Data of fraction shortness from echocardiography are showed as follows: EHT group, (22.82 +/- 3.44)%; cell transplantation group, (20.55 +/- 4.11)%, matrix group, (17.05 +/- 4.57)%; control, (19.80 +/- 3.98)% (P = 0.012). Langendorff examination revealed significant differences among four groups when left ventricular balloon volume was at the level of 0.06 ml, 0.08 ml and 0.10 ml, in which EHT group had the highest developed pressure and dp/dt.


CONCLUSIONS
It is feasible to fabricate injectable EHT in vitro. The fabricated EHT could survive in the myocardial infarct area after transplantation in a rat model and improve heart function due to better histological configuration.
Zhang
Ping-chuan
PC
Department of Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute and Fu Wai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China.
Zhang
Hao
H
Hu
Sheng-shou
SS
Wang
Hao
H
Wei
Ying-jie
YJ
D000818:Animals; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000637:transplantation*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D023822:Tissue Engineering