[Angiogenic effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected with human VEGF gene on myocardial infarcts in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the angiogenic effect of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transfected with human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF(165)) gene on myocardial infarcts in rats.


METHODS
The animal model of heart ischemic was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in Wistar rats. The ligated rats were divided into 4 groups (n=12 each), and 2 weeks later they were injected hVEGF-transfected MSC at the heart infarct zone (Group A), MSC (Group B), liposome-hVEGF gene plasmid (Group C), and medium (Group D). Four weeks after the injection, the capillary density of the infracted zone and the expression of human VEGF in vivo were examined.


RESULTS
Four weeks after the transplantation,the capillary density was significantly greater in Group A than that in Group B and Group D, slightly greater than that in Group C. The highest expression of hVEGF was Group A, and followed by Group C, Group B, and Group D.


CONCLUSIONS
MSC is helpful for the stable expression of hVEGF gene, and is an ideal cellular vehicle for VEGF genes.
Zhou
Wen-wu
WW
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Hu
Jian-guo
JG
Yang
Jin-fu
JF
Lin
Ling
L
Zhou
Xin-min
XM
Tang
Tao
T
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014162:Transfection; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A