Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) could differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells in vitro and may be candidate cells for cellular cardiomyoplasty. Whether they can differentiate into cardiomyocytes in myocardial infarction is needed to investigate.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the survival and differentiation of hAECs post-transplantation in the myocardial infarction (MI) zone, as well as the influence on ventricular remodeling and cardiac function.
METHODS: MI models were made by left anterior descending artery ligation in male SD rats (200±20) g, and then divided into hAECs transplanted group (n=12), model group (n=12) and sham operation group (n=12). The hAECs were isolated from human amnion using trypsin digestion method, and then its phenotype was identified by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining. After 7 days of MI, the BrdU labeled hAECs (0.4 mL, 2×10⁶ cells) were injected into rats through the sublingual vein. At different times after transplantation, echocardiogram, histopathology, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed to observe the survival and differentiation of hAECs in the MI area, as well as the influence on ventricular remodeling and cardiac function.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Freshly isolated hAECs highly expressed CD29, CD166, CD73 and CK19. At 6 weeks after hAECs transplantation, cardiac-specific protein connexin-43, α-actinin and desmin positive cells were detected in the MI region of rats. The left ventricular fibrosis was significantly milder in the hAECs transplanted group than in the model group. The left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular fractional shortening, left ventricular anterolateral wall thickness at diastole, and left ventricular anterolateral wall thickness at systole were significantly greater in the hAECs transplanted group than in the model group (P < 0.01). hAECs can differentiate into cardiomyocytes in MI area of rats, retard left ventricular remodeling and improve cardiac function, suggesting that hAECs may have the potential for treating clinical MI.