Combined MSC and GLP-1 Therapy Modulates Collagen Remodeling and Apoptosis following Myocardial Infarction

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Cardiovascular Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are investigated for myocardial infarction (MI) treatment.
• Their precise mechanisms within cardiac tissue remain incompletely elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential of MSCs, engineered to secrete GLP-1, in a myocardial infarction model.
• To elucidate the effects of MSCs ± GLP-1 on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac remodeling post-MI.

Main Methods:

• In vitro assessment of MSCs ± GLP-1 on human cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
• In vivo evaluation of CellBeads-MSC and CellBeads-MSC + GLP-1 in a pig MI model.
• Analysis of gene expression (qRT-PCR) and collagen structure (atomic force microscopy) at one and four weeks post-MI.

Main Results:

• MSC + GLP-1 conditioned media exhibited antiapoptotic effects on ischemic cardiomyocytes in vitro.
• Significant alterations in extracellular matrix remodeling genes were observed following MSC ± GLP treatment in vivo.
• Atomic force microscopy revealed significant differences in collagen fibril structure and scar formation at four weeks post-MI.

Conclusions:

• MSCs ± GLP-1 demonstrate modulatory effects on post-MI healing, impacting both apoptosis and collagen scar formation.
• These findings support the potential benefit of both MSCs and GLP-1 in the treatment of myocardial infarction.