CXCR4⁺ Sorted Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Enhance Their Functional Benefits and Improve Cardiac Function after Myocardial Infarction

Figure 7

CXCR4⁺ sorted ASCs more potently improved cardiac contractility and inhibited scar formation than did unfractionated ASCs in vivo. (a) Representative Masson’s trichrome staining was depicted (blue, fibrous tissue and red, viable myocardium). More viable myocardium and less fibrous tissue were observed in CXCR4⁺ sorted ASC-treated rats than in unfractionated ASC-treated rats and in CCM control rats. (b) Representative M-mode echocardiographic data in infarcted hearts receiving CCM, unfractionated ASCs, and CXCR4⁺ sorted ASCs at 4 weeks posttransplantation. (c) Comparison of ejection fraction and fractional shortening as assessed by echocardiography. CXCR4⁺ sorted ASC-treated rats demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in ejection fraction and fractional shortening at 4 weeks posttransplantation as compared with CCM or unfractionated ASC-treated rats. Scale bar represents 50 μm. ^# versus CCM. versus unfractionated ASCs. Abbreviations: CXCR4: CXC-chemokine receptor 4; ASCs: adipose-derived stem cells; CCM: cell culture medium.

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