Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of GATA-4-overexpressed bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in mice to cardiac function after myocardial infarction. Methods GATA-4-overexpressed BMSCs were constructed by transfecting BMSCs with lentiviral vector carrying GATA-4. Subsequently, GATA-4-overexpressed BMSCs, GATA-4-free-vector-BMSCs, and BMSCs were subjected to hypoxia culture to induce apoptosis. After 48 h, cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry, whereas caspase-3, caspase-9, β-actin, and cytochrome C were measured by Western blot. The mouse model of myocardial infarction was used and established for 48 h. Above group of cells were injected into the tail veins. The cardiac function was examined by cardiac color Doppler ultrasonography. Moreover, the number of local apoptotic cells in myocardial infarcted mice was detected by tunnel. Results GATA-4-overexpressed-BMSCs group had stronger anti-apoptotic ability (P<0.05). The minimal expression of caspase-8 and cytochrome C occurred in GATA-4-BMSCs group (P<0.05). Ejection fraction and contraction ratio also exhibited maximal degree improvement in GATA-4-overexpressed-BMSCs group (P<0.05). Number of local apoptotic cells in myocardial infarcted mice was lower in GATA-4-overexpressed-BMSCs group (P<0.05). Conclusions GATA-4-overexpressed-BMSCs can enhance the anti-apoptotic ability of BMSCs to improve the cardiac function effectively after myocardial infarction.

Key words: GATA-4, mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells, myocardial infarction