Intrapericardial Administration of Human Pericardial Fluid Cells Improves Cardiac Functions in Rats with Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is still the main cause of mortality worldwide. This study investigated the characteristics of human pericardial fluid-derived cells (hPFCs) and their effects in treating doxorubicin (DOX)-induced HF rats through intrapericardial injection. hPFCs were isolated from patients who underwent heart transplantation (N = 5). These cells that primarily expressed SCA-1, NANOG, and mesenchymal markers, CD90, CD105, and CD73, were able to form adipocytes, osteoblasts, and cardiomyocytes in vitro. Passage 3 hPFCs (2.5 × 105 cells/heart) were injected into the pericardial cavity of the DOX-injured rat hearts, significantly improving cardiac functions after 4 weeks. The tracked and engrafted red fluorescent protein-tagged hPFCs coexpressed cardiac troponin T and connexin 43 after 4 weeks in the host myocardium. This observation was also coupled with a significant reduction in cardiac fibrosis following hPFC treatment (P < 0.0001 vs. untreated). The elevated inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the DOX-treated hearts were found to be significantly reduced (P < 0.001 vs. untreated), while the regional proangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) level was increased in the hPFC-treated group after 4 weeks (P < 0.05 vs. untreated). hPFCs possess stem cell characteristics and can improve the cardiac functions of DOX-induced HF rats after 4 weeks through pericardial administration. The improvements were attributed to a significant reduction in cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and elevated regional proangiogenesis factor VEGFA, with evidence of cellular engraftment and differentiation in the host myocardium.