Interleukin-10 aids survival of cells transplanted to repair cardiac tissues after MI

Three groups of rats modeled with a myocardial infarction were treated with smooth muscle cell injections into the MI-damaged area of the heart in a new study. One group received unmodified autologous SMCs; another received unmodified allogenic SMCs; the last group received allogenic SMCs modified with interleukin 10 - a small, anti-inflammatory protein. The group receiving allogenic SMCs modified with IL-10 demonstrated cell survival, improved heart function, and protection against the host's r...