Mitotically Inactivated Embryonic Stem Cells Can Be Used as an In Vivo Feeder Layer to Nurse Damaged Myocardium after Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

As a result of irradiation before injection, ex vivo and in vivo iESC existence is transient, yet iESCs provide a significant improvement in cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction. The mechanism(s) of action of iESCs seems to be related to cell-cell exchange, paracrine factors, and a scaffolding effect between iESCs and neighboring host cardiomyocytes.