Renin Inhibition Improves the Survival of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in a Mouse Model of Myocardial Infarction

The aim of this study was to determine if renin inhibition is able to improve the survival of transplanted stem cells in a mouse model of myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction was induced in FVB/NJ inbred mice (n = 23). Bone marrow-derived mouse mesenchymal stromal cells (mMSCs, 3 x 10(5)) expressing the reporter gene firefly luciferase were delivered intramyocardially (n = 12) and monitored non-invasively by bioluminescence imaging. A group of these mice (n = 6) received aliskiren (15 mg/kg/day) via an osmotic pump implanted subcutaneously. The survival of mMSCs was significantly increased in those animals that received aliskiren leading to a significant improvement in systolic function after myocardial infarction. Histological analysis revealed a significant reduction in inflammation and collagen deposition in those mice that received aliskiren compared to controls. Renin inhibition of the ischemic myocardium is able to modulate the microenvironment improving the survival and efficacy of transplanted mMSCs in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.