Stem cell therapy for myocardial repair: Functional and bioenergetic modulations in the infarct border zone

The research work presented in this dissertation was aimed at investigating the mechanisms behind the progression from compensated post-infarction left ventricular remodeling to congestive heart failure. The focus was on examining the functional and bioenergetic abnormalities in the infarct border zone that may potentially spread to involve the entire left ventricle and instigate the development of heart failure. Upon gaining a better mechanistic understanding about the detrimental events in the infarct border zone, the feasibility of a novel cellular therapy approach for preventing the onset of functional and bioenergetic abnormalities in the infarct border zone was assessed.; The 3 specific aims that the research addressed were as follows: (1) Assess the functional and bioenergetic modulations in the infarct border zone following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). (2) Determine whether Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) can prevent the onset of functional and bioenergetic abnormalities in the infarct border zone. (3) Investigate the mechanisms by which MSCs achieve beneficial effects upon transplantation into the infarct border zone. The research was carried out in a previously established porcine acute myocardial infarction model.