Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Differentiate into an Endothelial Phenotype, Enhance Vascular Density, and Improve Heart Function in a Rat Cellular Cardiomyoplasty Model

Abstract

In vivo administration of syngenic MPCs into a rat model of myocardial infarcted heart was safety demonstrated. Some engrafted cells appeared to differentiate into endothelial cells and loss their smooth muscle phenotype. MPC engraftment might to contribute to the improvement on the cardiac function in such a setting.