Persistence of marrow stromal cells implanted into acutely infarcted myocardium: Observations in a xenotransplant model

Xenogeneic bone marrow stromal cells implanted into acutely ischemic myocardium induced by coronary artery ligation were immunologically tolerated, survived and differentiated, resulting in a cardiac chimera which improved left ventricular function. This unique immunologic tolerance may suggest the feasibility of using bone marrow stromal cells as universal donor cells.