Viable Fibroblast Matrix Patch Induces Angiogenesis and Increases Myocardial Blood Flow in Heart Failure After Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

The 3DFC functions as a cell delivery device providing matrix support for resident cell survival and integration into the heart. The imbedded fibroblasts of the 3DFC release a complex blend of cardioactive cytokines promoting increases in microvessel density and anterior wall blood flow but does not improve ejection fraction or alter LV remodeling.

Calcium-Alginate Hydrogel-Encapsulated Fibroblasts Provide Sustained Release of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

“…Recent research has also shown the potential benefit of delivering fibroblasts to the infarct region. 27,28 Fibroblasts comprise about 70% of the total cells present in the heart. 29 They secrete the ECM and a number of growth factors, in particular vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), 28,29 which has a key role in the promotion of angiogenesis, 30,31 and acts as a mitogen, survival factor, and chemoattractant for endothelial cells (ECs).…”

“…In rats, it was shown to improve myocardial blood flow to the infarcted region and shown to improve LV remodeling and function. 40 Additionally, this product has been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronically ischemic canine 43 and rat 27 hearts, resulting from MI. The beneficial effects of the product have been attributed to the sustained localized expression of VEGF and other angiogenic factors by the fibroblasts.…”

Clenbuterol Plus Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Regulates Stem/Progenitor Cell Mobilization and Exerts Beneficial Effect by Increasing Neovascularization in Rats With Heart Failure

“…Heart failure is created in rats with the use of standard techniques developed in our laboratory. 23 In brief, Sprague-Dawley rats were infarcted by permanent ligature placement around the proximal left coronary artery. Rats undergoing this procedure develop large MIs as confirmed by LV end-diastolic pressure >16 mm Hg and the presence of a transmural scar.…”

“…23,24 In brief, hearts were arrested with potassium chloride and a catheter inserted into the LV via the aortic root. One end of the double-lumen LV catheter was connected to a volume infusion pump (Harvard Apparatus) and the other end to a pressure transducer zeroed at the level of the heart.…”

“…We used single immunohistochemical staining for antirabbit factor VIII (Dako) (1:1,000) to perform histologic analysis of microvessel density, as previously described. 23 We defined vessel density by light microscopy at ×40 magnification. The number of cross-section vessels per field was counted by 2 people blinded to treatment, and the average measurements from 6 different fields was recorded for each value.…”