Diffusion Tensor Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Reveals Exosomes From Cardiosphere-Derived Cells Preserve Myocardial Fiber Architecture After Myocardial Infarction

The object of the study was to reveal the fiber microstructural response with diffusion tensor cardiac magnetic resonance after intramyocardial exosomes secreted by cardiosphere-derived cells (CDC(EXO)) in chronic porcine myocardial infarction. Porcine with myocardial infarction underwent intramyocardial delivery of human CDC(EXO) and placebo in a randomized placebo-controlled study. Four weeks after injection, viability improved in the CDC(EXO) group, whereas myocardial fiber architecture and cardiac function were preserved. In the placebo group, fiber architecture and cardiac function declined. Myocardial regeneration by CDC(EXO) is not tumor-like; instead, details of tissue architecture are faithfully preserved, which may foster physiological excitation and contraction.