title: Aortic implantation of mesenchymal stem cells after aneurysm injury in a porcine model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cell-based therapies are being evaluated in the setting of degenerative pathophysiologic conditions. The search for the ideal method of delivery and improvement in cell engraftment continue to pose a challenge. This study explores the feasibility of introducing mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) following aortic injury in a porcine model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bone marrow-derived MSC were obtained from eight pigs, characterized for the MSC markers CD13 and CD 29, labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP), and collected for autologous injection in a porcine model of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The pigs were euthanized (1-7 d) after the procedure to assess the histologic characteristics and presence of MSC in the aortic tissue. Negative controls included noninjured aorta. Tracking of the MSC was conducted by the identification of the GFP-labeled cells using immunofluorescence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AAA sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin showed disorganization of the aortic tissue; collagen-muscle-elastin stain demonstrated fragmentation of elastin fibers. The presence of the implanted MSC in the aortic wall was evidenced by fluorescent microscopy showing GFP labeled cells. Engraftment of MSC up to 7 d after introduction was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autologous implantation of bone marrow-derived MSC following aortic injury in a porcine model may be successfully accomplished. The long-term impact and therapeutic value of such cell-based therapy will require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
authors.forename: Irene C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Turnbull
authors.forename: Lahouaria
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hadri
authors.forename: Kleopatra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rapti
authors.forename: Mikel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadek
authors.forename: Lifan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Hyun J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: Roger J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hajjar
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Faries
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D002465:Cell Movement; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014841:von Willebrand Factor