VEGF165A microsphere therapy for myocardial infarction suppresses acute cytokine release and increases microvascular density but does not improve cardiac function

Biodegradable microspheres provide state-of-the-art pharmacotherapeutic platforms for off-the-shelf local drug delivery to treat acute myocardial infarction. VEGF165A-laden MSPs, infused in human-sized hearts upon reperfusion, reduced cytokine release and increased regional capillary density but did not result in functional improvements. It does serve as proof of principle for local reperfusion therapy.