Figure 4

ERBB4 overexpression in MSCs provoked cardiomyocyte division and reduced cardiomyocyte loss. (a) Mature cardiomyocyte marker α-actinin and proliferation marker Ki67 indicated that cardiomyocytes underwent mitosis. Both MSCe and MSC-ERBB4 transplantation-stimulated cardiomyocyte proliferation in remote and adjacent areas. Representative images for each group are shown. Quantification indicated that MSC-ERBB4 induced more cardiomyocyte division than MSCe. Scale bar=200 μm. n=8 for each group. (b) TUNEL-labeled apoptotic cardiomyocytes at 48 h after MI. Representative images are shown. MSC-ERBB4 transplantation provided better protection of cardiomyocytes against apoptosis than MSCe did. n=8 for each group