Implantation of BM cells transfected with phVEGF165 enhances functional improvement of the infarcted heart.

Experimental data have suggested that BM-cell implantation can improve infarcted cardiac function. However, the number of implanted cells that survive is still unknown. The present study was performed to investigate whether implantation of autologous BM mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) transfected with phVEGF165 can increase the number of surviving implanted cells, and enhance functional improvement of infarcted hearts in rabbits.