Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretion of SDF-1α Modulates Endothelial Function in Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction contributes to the pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Allogeneic but not autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improve endothelial function in DCM patients. We hypothesized that these effects are modulated by release of stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-1α).