Heparin Disrupts the CXCR4 / SDF-1 Axis and Impairs the Functional Capacity of Bone Marrow–Derived Mononuclear Cells Used for Cardiovascular Repair

Rationale:Cell therapy is a promising option for the treatment of acute or chronic myocardial ischemia. The intracoronary infusion of cells imposes the potential risk of cell clotting, which may be prevented by the addition of anticoagulants. However, a comprehensive analysis of the effects of anticoagulants on the function of the cells is missing. Objective:Here, we investigated the effects of heparin and the thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin on bone marrow–derived mononuclear cell (BMC) functional activity and homing capacity. Methods and Results:Heparin, but not bivalirudin profoundly and dose-dependently inhibited basal and stromal cell–derived factor 1 (SDF-1)–induced BMC migration. Incubation of BMCs with 20 U/mL heparin for 30 minutes abrogated SDF-1–induced BMC invasion (16±8% of control; P<0.01), whereas no effects on apoptosis or colony formation were observed (80±33% and 100±44% of control, respectively). Pretreatment of BMCs with heparin significantly reduced the homing of the injected cells in a...