title: Placental growth factor increases regional myocardial blood flow and contractile function in chronic myocardial ischemia.
abstract: Placental growth factor (PlGF) has a distinct biological phenotype with a predominant proangiogenic role in disease without affecting quiescent vessels in healthy organs. We tested whether systemic administration of recombinant human (rh)PlGF improves regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) and systolic function recovery in a porcine chronic myocardial ischemia model. We implanted a flow-limiting stent in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery and measured systemic hemodynamics, regional myocardial function using MRI, and blood flow using colored microspheres 4 wk later. Animals were then randomized in a blinded way to receive an infusion of rhPlGF (15 μg·kg(-1)·day(-1), n = 9) or PBS (control; n = 10) for 2 wk. At 8 wk, myocardial perfusion and function were reassessed. Infusion of rhPlGF transiently increased PlGF serum levels >30-fold (1,153 ± 180 vs. 33 ± 18 pg/ml at baseline, P < 0.001) without affecting systemic hemodynamics. From 4 to 8 wk, rhPlGF increased regional MBF from 0.46 ± 0.11 to 0.85 ± 0.16 ml·min(-1)·g(-1), with a concomitant increase in systolic wall thickening from 11 ± 3% to 26 ± 5% in the ischemic area. In control animals, no significant changes from 4 to 8 wk were observed (MBF: 0.45 ± 0.07 to 0.49 ± 0.08 ml·min(-1)·g(-1) and systolic wall thickening: 14 ± 4% to 18 ± 1%). rhPlGF-induced functional improvement was accompanied by increased myocardial neovascularization, enhanced glycogen utilization, and reduced oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the ischemic zone. In conclusion, systemic rhPlGF infusion significantly enhances regional blood flow and contractile function of the chronic ischemic myocardium without adverse effects. PlGF protein infusion may represent an attractive therapeutic strategy to increase myocardial perfusion and energetics in chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy.
authors: Division of Clinical Cardiology and Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Gasthuisberg University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Xiaoshun
authors: X
authors: Liu
authors: Piet
authors: P
authors: Claus
authors: Ming
authors: M
authors: Wu
authors: Geert
authors: G
authors: Reyns
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Verhamme
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Pokreisz
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Vandenwijngaert
authors: Christophe
authors: C
authors: Dubois
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Vanhaecke
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Verbeken
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Bogaert
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Janssens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D034421:Sus scrofa; D018754:Ventricular Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D006003:Glycogen