Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Improve Cardiac Perfusion in an Ovine Immunocompetent Animal Model.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold considerable promise in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Most preclinical studies of MSCs for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been performed either in syngeneic animal models or with human cells in xenogeneic immunodeficient animals. A preferable pre-clinical model, however, would involve human MSCs in an immunocompetent animal.

Ischemia-induced model of diastolic dysfunction in sheep.

Background: Ischemic heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) is an increasingly recognized entity that carries similar morbidity and mortality than low ejection fraction heart failure. Animal models of diastolic dysfunction mimicking this condition are lacking and are essential for the development of therapeutic strategies.

Methods And Results: Eight Corriedale sheep, 18 ± 5 months old, were included in the study.