Xenogeneic Stem Cell–Induced Cardiac Progenitor Cells Regenerated Infarcted Myocardium in Rat Model

Purpose We aim to investigate the role of stem cell–based regenerative medicine to repair or regrow the infarcted myocardium and restore normal cardiac homeostasis. Methods WIKI4-treated cells were tested for in vitro differentiation into myocytes by gene and protein expression. A myocardial infarction (MI) model was established, cells were transplanted, and cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Histological evaluation of the harvested heart was performed to evaluate the cardiac regeneration. Results These pre-differentiated cardiomyocytes were assessed for the presence of cardiac markers using immunocytochemical staining for Gata-4, Alpha actinin, and Myosin heavy chain, and gene expression analysis also showed that these cells are expressing cardiomyogenic markers. Hearts transplanted with WIKI4-treated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) significantly (*** P