Stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha is cardioprotective after myocardial infarction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Heart disease is a leading cause of mortality throughout the world. Tissue damage from vascular occlusive events results in the replacement of contractile myocardium by nonfunctional scar tissue. The potential of new technologies to regenerate damaged myocardium is significant, although cell-based therapies must overcome several technical barriers. One possible cell-independent alternative is the direct administration of small proteins to damaged myocardium.

Methods and results

Here we show that the secreted signaling protein stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha), which activates the cell-survival factor protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) via the G protein-coupled receptor CXCR4, protected tissue after an acute ischemic event in mice and activated Akt within end

SUBMITTER: Saxena A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2743260 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature