Combined administration of mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing IGF-1 and HGF enhances neovascularization but moderately improves cardiac regeneration in a porcine model.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are among the most promising growth factors for promoting cardiorepair. Here, we evaluated the combination of cell- and gene-based therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) genetically modified to overexpress IGF-1 or HGF to treat acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a porcine model.

Methods: Pig MSC from adipose tissue (paMSC) were genetically modified for evaluation of different therapeutic strategies to improve AMI treatment.

A preliminary approach to the repair of myocardial infarction using adipose tissue-derived stem cells encapsulated in magnetic resonance-labelled alginate microspheres in a porcine model.

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) have properties of self-renewal, pluripotency and high proliferative capability that make them useful for the treatment of cardiac ventricular function following ischaemic injury. However, their therapeutic use is limited due to the low retention of the cells at the targeted site. To address this issue, we developed semipermeable membrane microcapsules labelled with Endorem (magnetocapsules) that provide mechanical and immunological immune protection to the cells while maintaining internal cell microenvironment.