Embryonic Stem Cell Homing

Boston, MA -

Administration of bone marrow derived stem cells to patients post-infarct has demonstrated positive clinical results in double blind trials. Additionally, Osiris Therapeutics has reported intravenous administration of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells increases cardiac function in similar patient populations.

A recent study (Malek et al. Successful implantation of intravenously administered stem cells correlates with severity of inflammation in murine myocarditis. Pflugers Arch. 2006 Jun;452(3):268-75) asked the question of whether intravenous administration of embryonic stem cells may be beneficial in viral induced heart failure. The scientists first demonstrated that after viral (encephalomyocarditis virus) infection there is a gradient of inflammatory cytokines produced, with peak serum concentrations at day 14 post infection. This is interesting since coxsackie b3 viral infection induces mobilization of mesenchymal stem cells on day 3 post infection.

The investigators then performed intravenous injection of GFP-marked mouse embryonic stem cells at different timepoints. Cells injected at day 14 had the highest rate of incorporation in comparison to other time-points. Additionally injection at day 14 induced the highest rate of regenerative activity.

These data have very interesting implications on the migratory mechanisms of embryonic stem cells. Do ES cells have CXCR-4 on them?

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