Autologous cardiomyotissue implantation promotes myocardial regeneration, decreases infarct size, and improves left ventricular function.

BACKGROUND: Cell therapy for myocardial infarction (MI) may be limited by poor cell survival and lack of transdifferentiation. We report a novel technique of implanting whole autologous myocardial tissue from preserved myocardial regions into infarcted regions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fourteen rats were used to optimize cardiomyotissue size with peritoneal wall implantation (300 µm identified as optimal size). Thirty-nine pigs were used to investigate cardiomyotissue implantation in MI induced by left anterior descending balloon occlusion (10 animals died; male-to-female transplantation for tracking with in situ hybridization for Y chromosome, n=4 [2 donors and 2 MI animals]; acute MI implantation cohort at 1 hour, n=13; and healed MI implantation at 2 weeks, n=12). Assessment included echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, hemodynamics, triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, and histological and molecular analyses. Tracking studies demonstrated viable implants with donor cells interspersed in the adjacent myocardium with gap junctions and desmosomes. In the acute MI cohort, treated animals compared with controls had improved perfusion by magnetic resonance imaging (1.2±0.01 versus 0.86±0.05; P<0.01), decreased MI size (magnetic resonance imaging: left ventricle, 2.2±0.5% versus 5.4±1.5%, P=0.04; triphenyltetrazolium chloride: anterior wall, 10.3±4.6% versus 28.9±5.8%, P<0.03), and improved contractility (dP/dt, 1235±215 versus 817±817; P<0.05). In the healed MI cohort, treated animals had less decline in ejection fraction between 2 and 4 week assessment (-3±4% versus -13±-4%; P<0.05), less decline in ±dP/dt, and smaller MI (triphenyltetrazolium chloride, 21±11% versus 3±8%; P=0.006) than control animals. Infarcts in the treated animals contained more mdr-1(+) cells and fewer c-kit(+) cells with a trend for decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and increased expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2. CONCLUSION: Autologous cardiomyotissue implanted in an MI area remains viable, exhibits electromechanical coupling, decreases infarct size, and improves left ventricular function.

Skin-derived microorgan autotransplantation as a novel approach for therapeutic angiogenesis.

Despite promising preclinical results, transient single-factor-based therapeutic angiogenesis has shown no definitive benefits in clinical trials. The use of skin-derived microorgans (SMOs), capable of sustained expression of angiogenic factors and sustained viability with their cellular and extracellular elements, constitutes an attractive alternative. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of SMO implantation in a porcine model of chronic myocardial ischemia. Eighteen pigs underwent placement of an ameroid constrictor on the proximal circumflex artery. Three weeks later, split-thickness skin biopsies were harvested and pigs were randomized to lateral wall implantation of either 8 or 16 SMOs or blank injections. The procedure was safe and resulted in no adverse events. Three weeks after treatment, SMO implantation resulted in significant improvement of lateral wall perfusion during pacing, assessed by isotope-labeled microspheres [post- vs. pretreatment ratios of lateral/anterior wall blood flow were 1.31 +/- 0.09 (SMOs) and 1.04 +/- 0.06 (controls); P = 0.03]. No significant difference in angiographic scores was observed. Microvascular relaxation in response to VEGF was impaired in the ischemic territory of the control group but returned to normal after SMO implantation, indicating restoration of endothelial function. Molecular studies showed significant increases in VEGF and CD31 expression in the ischemic area of treated animals. Morphometric analysis showed increased neovascularization with SMO treatment. Autotransplantation of SMOs constitutes a novel approach for safe and effective therapeutic angiogenesis with improvement in perfusion, normalization of microvascular reactivity, and increased expression of VEGF and CD31.

Effects of L-arginine on the endogenous angiogenic response in a model of hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: The angiogenic properties of vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-2 are mediated in part through nitric oxide release, whose availability is decreased in endothelial dysfunction associated with advanced coronary artery disease. We examined the influence of L-arginine supplementation on the endogenous angiogenic response to ischemia in a porcine model of hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: Eighteen Yucatan pigs were fed either a normal (NORM, n=6) or a high-cholesterol diet, with (CHOL-ARG, n=6) or without (CHOL, n=6) L-arginine (100 mg/kg/day), throughout the experiment. All pigs underwent ameroid constrictor placement on the circumflex artery (LCx). Seven weeks later, endothelium-dependent coronary microvascular responses to fibroblast growth factor-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor were assessed by videomicroscopy. Perfusion was assessed with radioactive microspheres; angiogenesis was evaluated by platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD-31) staining. Regional myocardial function was assessed by sonomicrometry. Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase was measured by Western blot analyses. RESULTS: Pigs from the CHOL group showed significant endothelial dysfunction in the LCx territory. The dysfunction was normalized partially by L-arginine supplementation, which restored the response in the LCx territory to the level of the nonischemic anterior wall. L-arginine supplementation resulted in increases of perfusion, density of capillary endothelial, and level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the ischemic region. Despite these findings, no improvement in myocardial regional function was found. CONCLUSIONS: L-arginine supplementation can partially restore endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and improve myocardial perfusion in a swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia with hypercholesterolemia-induced endothelial dysfunction. These findings suggest a putative role for L-arginine in combination with growth factor therapy for end-stage coronary artery disease.

Effects of L-arginine on fibroblast growth factor 2-induced angiogenesis in a model of endothelial dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide availability, which is decreased in advanced coronary artery disease associated with endothelial dysfunction, is an important mediator of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)-induced angiogenesis. This could explain the disappointing results of FGF-2 therapy in clinical trials despite promising preclinical studies. We examined the influence of L-arginine supplementation to FGF-2 therapy on myocardial microvascular reactivity and perfusion in a porcine model of endothelial dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen pigs were fed either a normal (NORM, n=6) or high cholesterol diet, with (HICHOL-ARG, n=6) or without (HICHOL, n=6) L-arginine. All pigs underwent ameroid placement on the circumflex artery and 3 weeks later received surgical FGF-2 treatment. Four weeks after treatment, endothelial-dependent coronary microvascular responses and lateral myocardial perfusion were assessed. Endothelial cell density was determined by immunohistochemistry. FGF-2, fibroblast growth receptor-1, endothelial-derived nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and syndecan-4 levels were determined by immunoblotting. Pigs from the HICHOL group showed endothelial dysfunction in the circumflex territory, which was normalized by L-arginine supplementation. FGF-2 treatment was ineffective in the HICHOL group (circumflex/left anterior descending blood flow ratios: 1.01 (rest) and 1.01 (pace), after and before treatment). Addition of L-arginine improved myocardial perfusion in response to FGF-2 at rest (ratio 1.13, P=0.02 versus HICHOL) but not during pacing (ratio 0.94, P=NS), and was associated with increased protein levels of iNOS and eNOS. CONCLUSIONS: L-arginine supplementation can partially restore the normal response to endothelium-dependent vasorelaxants and myocardial perfusion in response to FGF-2 treatment in a swine model of hypercholesterolemia-induced endothelial dysfunction. These findings suggest a role for L-arginine in combination with FGF-2 therapy for end-stage coronary artery disease.

Normalization of coronary microvascular reactivity and improvement in myocardial perfusion by surgical vascular endothelial growth factor therapy combined with oral supplementation of l-arginine in a porcine model of endothelial dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular endothelial growth factor acts in part through nitric oxide release, the availability of which is decreased in endothelial dysfunction associated with advanced coronary artery disease. This could explain the relatively disappointing results of vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in clinical studies compared with animal studies. We examined the influence of L-arginine supplementation to vascular endothelial growth factor therapy on myocardial microvascular reactivity and perfusion in a porcine model of endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: Twenty-four pigs were fed either a normal (NORM, n = 8) or high-cholesterol diet with (CHOL-ARG, n = 8) or without (CHOL, n = 8) L-arginine. All pigs underwent ameroid placement on the circumflex artery and then 3 weeks later received surgical vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. Four weeks after treatment, endothelial-dependent coronary microvascular responses and lateral myocardial perfusion were assessed. Endothelial cell density was determined by means of immunohistochemistry. Vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and Akt levels were determined by means of immunoblotting. RESULTS: Pigs from the CHOL group showed endothelial dysfunction in the circumflex territory, which was normalized by L-arginine supplementation. Vascular endothelial growth factor treatment was ineffective in the CHOL group (circumflex/left anterior descending coronary artery blood flow ratios: 0.95 [rest] and 0.74 [pace] before-after treatment; P < .05 compared with the NORM group). Addition of L-arginine restored the angiogenic effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (ratios: 1.13 [rest] and 1.20 [pace]; P < .05) and was associated with increased endothelial cell density, as well as vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and Akt protein levels in the ischemic territory. CONCLUSIONS: L-Arginine supplementation can restore normal endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and angiogenic response to vascular endothelial growth factor in a swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia with hypercholesterolemia-induced endothelial dysfunction. These findings suggest a putative role for L-arginine in combination with vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for end-stage coronary artery disease.

Inhibition of the cardiac angiogenic response to exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor.

BACKGROUND: The angiogenic effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are mediated by the stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and nitric oxide release. Nitric oxide availability is decreased in patients with coronary disease, a possible explanation for the humble results of VEGF in clinical trials. We sought to examine the effects of exogenous VEGF in a model of endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: Miniswine fed either a regular (N = 6, group NORM) or hypercholesterolemic diet (N = 6, HICHOL) underwent ameroid placement on the circumflex artery. Three weeks later, baseline myocardial perfusion was assessed by microsphere injections, and all pigs were treated with VEGF. Four weeks later, microsphere injections were repeated and the hearts harvested. Endothelial-dependent coronary microvascular reactivity, and VEGF and eNOS expression were assessed. RESULTS: HICHOL pigs showed significant endothelial dysfunction in the ischemic territory. Post-treatment myocardial blood flow in the circumflex territory was significantly higher in the NORM compared to the HICHOL group. VEGF and eNOS levels were increased in the ischemic territory in the NORM group but decreased in the HICHOL group. CONCLUSIONS: The cardiac angiogenic response to VEGF was markedly inhibited in a hypercholesterolemia-induced porcine model of endothelial dysfunction. Coronary endothelial dysfunction could be an obstacle to the efficacy of clinical angiogenesis protocols and a putative therapeutic target.

Therapeutic angiogenesis for myocardial ischemia.

Therapeutic angiogenesis offers promise as a novel treatment for ischemic heart disease, particularly for patients who are not candidates for current methods of revascularization. The goal of treatment is both relief of symptoms of coronary artery disease and improvement of cardiac function by increasing perfusion to the ischemic region. Protein-based therapy with cytokines including vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor demonstrated functionally significant angiogenesis in several animal models. However, clinical trials have yielded largely disappointing results. The attenuated angiogenic response seen in clinical trials of patients with coronary artery disease may be due to multiple factors including endothelial dysfunction, particularly in the context of advanced atherosclerotic disease and associated comorbid conditions, regimens of single agents, as well as inefficiencies of current delivery methods. Gene therapy has several advantages over protein therapy and recent advances in gene transfer techniques have improved the feasibility of this approach. The safety and tolerability of therapeutic angiogenesis by gene transfer has been demonstrated in phase I clinical trials. The utility of therapeutic angiogenesis by gene transfer as a treatment option for ischemic cardiovascular disease will be determined by adequately powered, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II and III clinical trials. Cell-based therapies offer yet another approach to therapeutic angiogenesis. Although it is a promising therapeutic strategy, additional preclinical studies are warranted to determine the optimal cell type to be administered, as well as the optimal delivery method. It is likely the optimal treatment will involve multiple agents as angiogenesis is a complex process involving a large cascade of cytokines, as well as cells and extracellular matrix, and administration of a single factor may be insufficient. The promise of therapeutic angiogenesis as a novel treatment for no-option patients should be approached with cautious optimism as the field progresses.