Myocardial infarction is associated with NGF over-expression by myofibroblasts which promotes PC12 cells axonal neuritogenesis.

<p>Photomicrographs and quantitative analysis of myocardial sections stained with Masson's trichrome (MT) (<b>A</b>), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (<b>B</b>). (<b>C</b>) Quantification of NGF gene expression in cardiac fibroblasts isolated from sham-operated rats (Fb) and in cardiac myofibroblasts isolated from the ischemic region of infarcted heart (Myofb). **, p<0.001 vs. Fb (n = 3–4 per rat group). (<b>D</b>) Neurite outgrowth quantification in PC12 cells, 48 and 96 hours after co-culture with myofibroblasts isolated from ischemic region of infarcted heart (PC12+Myofb). ***, p<0.001 vs. PC12, #, p<0.05 vs. PC12+Myofb 48 hours (n = 4).