Straightening up scars
As a result of myocardial infarction (MI; heart attack), scar tissue forms that negatively affects cardiac function. Thavapalachandran et al. investigated the potential therapeutic effects of intravenous delivery of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-AB (rhPDGF-AB) after MI in a randomized, double-blinded study in pigs. Cardiac function was improved 28 days after treatment was initiated and rhPDGF-AB enhanced angiogenesis; however, there was no difference in the size of scars between rhPDGF-AB–treated and vehicle-treated pigs. Scars in rhPDGF-AB–treated pigs showed less heterogeneity and greater fiber alignment, and rhPDGF-AB–treated pigs were less susceptible to arrhythmia after MI. Results support the translational potential of rhPDGF-AB to modulate scars and augment cardiac repair.
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