Sca-1-positive cardiac progenitor cells for treatment of myocardial infarction

This study aims to test the potential of Sca-1-positive cardiac progenitor cells in treating myocardial infarction. Sca-1-positive cardiac progenitor cells were isolated from male hearts, cultured and then injected into a myocardial infarction mouse model. Four weeks after infarction induction and transplantation, the cell-injected animal group showed improved cardiac function and increased wall thickness in the infarct area. Although the transplanted cells had no significant effect on left ventricle dilatation, they significantly attenuated the infarct size.