Externally Applied Static Magnetic Field Enhances Cardiac Retention and Functional Benefit of Magnetically Iron-Labeled Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Infarcted Hearts

Abstract

© AlphaMed Press 2016. Although adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) hold the promise of effective therapy for myocardial infarction, low cardiac retention of implanted ASCs has hindered their therapeutic efficiency.Weinvestigated whether an externally applied static magnetic field (SMF) enhances cardiac localization of " magnetic" cells and promotes heart function recovery when ASCs are preloaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles. The influence of SMF (0.1 Tesla) on the biological activities of SPIO-labeled ASCs ( SPIO ASCs) was investigated first. Fifty-six female rats with myocardial infarction underwent intramyocardial injection of cell culture medium (CCM) or male SPIO ASCs with or without the subcutaneous implantable magnet (CCM-magnet or SPIOASC-magnet). Four weeks later, endothelial differentiation, angiogenic cytokine secretion, angiogenesis, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, cell retention, and cardiac performance were examined. The 0.1-TselaSMFdid not adversely affect the viability, proliferation, angiogenic cytokine secretion, and DNA integrity of SPIO ASCs. The implanted SPIO ASCs could differentiate into endothelial cell, incorporate into newly formed vessels, and secrete multiple angiogenic cytokines. Four weeks after cell transplantation, the number of cardiac SPIO ASCs was significantly increased, vascular density was markedly enlarged, fewer apoptotic cardiomyocytes were present, and heart contractile function was substantially improved in the SPIO ASC-magnet treated rats in comparison with the SPIOASC-treated rats. The SPIOASCs could differentiate into endothelial cells, incorporate into vessels, promote angiogenesis, and inhibit ischemic cardiomyocyte apoptosis. An externally applied SMF offered a secure environment for biological properties of SPIO ASCs, increased the cardiac retention of implanted magnetic SPIO ASCs, and further enhanced heart function recovery after myocardial infarction.