Title: Novel Platforms for Cardiovascular Repair
Description: Collectively the experiments discussed in this thesis represent an attempt to improve upon current cardiovascular cell therapy practices. The first chapter focuses on the regenerative efficacy of immunoselected mesenchymal progenitor cells in the setting of acute myocardial ischemia. Particular attention is paid to the mechanisms underlying the functional recovery attributed to administration of these cells as well as potential drawbacks to their delivery as a liquid suspension. Given the poor engraftment witnessed with this formulation, the second chapter focuses on the use of in situ polymerization of hydrogels to enhance immediate cell retention and survival. This approach is further developed in chapter three with particular attention paid to the constraints imposed by currently used percutaneous delivery catheters. The fourth and final chapter combines the use of hydrogels with a novel biomimetic scaffold in an attempt to further improve upon cell retention and survival as well as provide a post-implant environment that provides physical and biologic characteristics similar to native myocardium.