Engraftment Is Optimal When Myoblasts Are Transplanted Early: The Role of Hepatocyte Growth Factor

These results demonstrate that engraftment of SKMBs is impaired when transplantation is delayed until a chronic infarct has developed. Hepatocyte growth factor in MI declines with time and may enhance engraftment of SKMBs transplanted early after MI. Delivery of exogenous HGF to enhance SKMB engraftment in chronic infarcts warrants further investigation.