Morphological and functional changes in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rats with heart failure

The changes in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), in terms of cell morphology and protein expression in rats with heart failure, were studied. Pressure overload chronic heart failure rat model was induced with partial constriction of the abdominal aorta. BMSCs from the model and the sham operation groups were isolated and cultured (cell density, 108 cells/l), and supernatant was collected after 72 h. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure HGF, IGF-1, PDGF, SCF, FGF and VEGF levels in the supernatant. Results showed that in the model group, the minimum cell diameter, the average cell area and the protein expression in single BMSCs were significantly less than those in the sham operation group. In the model group, SCF and PDGF levels were significantly lower than those in the sham operation group. VEGF concentration in the model group was significantly higher than that in the sham operation group. Compared with normal rats, the morphology of BMSCs in rats with heart failure changed considerably, the protein expression of a single cell and the ability to secrete cytokines decreased in a meaningful way.