Monocytes recruitment blocking synergizes with mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for treating myocardial infarction.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), however, research to date has demonstrated unsatisfactory results. An AMI mouse model was established via left coronary artery ligation. AMI mice were treated with MSCs, anti-CCR2 or MSCs + anti-CCR2 and the effects of each treatment group were compared. Macrophage infiltration was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Implantation of MSCs + anti-CCR2 yielded a greater improvement in cardiac function and significantly reduced macrophage accumulation in the infarct site of AMI mice compared with the injection of MSCs or anti-CCR2 alone. Moreover, reduced macrophage infiltration was accompanied by reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in the injury sites and the low inflammatory response favored tissue regeneration. Treatment with MSCs and anti-CCR2 in combination may be a promising therapeutic strategy for AMI.