Human cardiac multipotent adult stem cells in 3D matrix: new approach of tissue engineering in cardiac regeneration post-infarction

Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. It causes a left ventricular dysfunction, mainly due to the loss of functional tissue, resulting in heart failure. New therapies are being developed, using a tissue engineering approach, with the ultimate goal of restoring cardiac function by regenerating and repairing the damaged myocardium. In the present study we investigated the behaviour of a specific population of c-kit positive human cardiac stem cells, called Multipotent Adult Stem Cells (MASCs), grown within three-dimensional collagen scaffolds (3D), to establish whether they could be used in post-infarction cardiac regeneration. We also evaluated the expression levels of the Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor (GM-CSFR) and endoglin, a component of the Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-ß) receptor complex. Finally, we also evaluated the expression of the α2β1integrin. MASCs cultured within 3D collagen matrices are able to proliferate and migrate even in the absence of chemotactic agents and express high levels of factors involved in cell proliferation and migration, such as GM-CSFRα chain and integrins. They therefore represent a promising approach to tissue engineering aimed to restore cardiac function. Our results also suggest a role of GM-CSF in cell proliferation, while TGF-β does not seem to be relevant