Selection of reference genes for normalization of real-time PCR data in minipig heart failure model and evaluation of TNF-α mRNA expression.

Real-time PCR is the benchmark method for measuring mRNA expression levels, but the accuracy and reproducibility of its data greatly depend on appropriate normalization strategies. Though the minipig model is largely used to study cardiovascular disease, no specific reference genes have been identified in porcine myocardium. The aim of the study was to identify and validate reference gene to be used in RT-PCR studies of failing (HF) and non-failing pig hearts.

Ferritin as a reporter gene for in vivo tracking of stem cells by 1.5-T cardiac MRI in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

The methods currently utilized to track stem cells by cardiac MRI are affected by important limitations, and new solutions are needed. We tested human ferritin heavy chain (hFTH) as a reporter gene for in vivo tracking of stem cells by cardiac MRI. Swine cardiac stem/progenitor cells were transduced with a lentiviral vector to overexpress hFTH and cultured to obtain cardiospheres (Cs).

Placental stem cells pre-treated with a hyaluronan mixed ester of butyric and retinoic acid to cure infarcted pig hearts: a multimodal study.

Aims: Pre-treating placenta-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (FMhMSCs) with a hyaluronan mixed ester of butyric and retinoic acid (HBR) potentiates their reparative capacity in rodent hearts. Our aim was to test FMhMSCs in a large-animal model by employing a novel combination of in vivo and ex vivo analyses.

Methods And Results: Matched regional quantifications of myocardial function and viability were performed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) 4 weeks after myocardial infarction combined with intramyocardial injection of FMhMSCs (n = 7), or HBR-pre-treated FMhMSCs (HBR-FMhMSCs, n = 6), or saline solution (PBS, n = 7).

Transthoracic sensor for noninvasive assessment of left ventricular contractility: validation in a minipig model of chronic heart failure.

Background: Invasively measured left ventricular (LV) dP/dt is the accepted standard for measuring acute and chronic directional changes in LV contractility. Recently, we developed a noninvasive force sensor based on an accelerometer positioned on the chest, which measures the vibrations generated by isovolumic myocardial contraction. The aim of this paper was to compare noninvasive (accelerometer) versus invasive (LV dP/dt) indices of myocardial contractility in a chronic minipig model of pacing-induced heart failure (HF).

Severe mechanical dyssynchrony causes regional hibernation-like changes in pigs with nonischemic heart failure.

Background: Sustained left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony can lead to heart failure (HF) in the absence of coronary artery stenosis. We tested whether myocardial hibernation underlies the LV functional impairment caused by high-frequency pacing, an established model of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods And Results: Regional LV contractile and perfusion reserve were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, respectively, as end-systolic wall thickening (LVESWT) and myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI) at rest and during low-dose dobutamine stress (LDDS, 10 microg.