Engraftment is optimal when myoblasts are transplanted early: the role of hepatocyte growth factor.

Background: In a recent clinical trial, skeletal myoblast (SKMB) transplantation performed late after myocardial infarction (MI) did not improve left ventricular function. We hypothesized that (1) delaying SKMB transplantation until a chronic infarct scar has developed reduces engraftment, and (2) hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a main regulator of SKMBs, is present in acute but not chronic MI, potentially influencing engraftment.

Methods: Rats underwent coronary artery ligation followed by SKMB transplantation immediately (n = 12) or delayed by 5 weeks (n = 11).