Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Secreted by Hypoxia Cardiac Fibroblasts Triggers Cardiac Stem Cell Migration In Vitro

Figure 6

CSCs migration assay with cytokine antagonists. (a) shows CSCs migration induced by supernatant of CFs culture just before being incubated under hypoxia (0 h group). Then, CSCs migration induced by supernatant of CFs culture incubating under hypoxia for 24 h was shown in (b). Antagonists for VEGF (c), TNF-α (d), MMP-9 (e), MMP-2 (f), and cocktail of all four factors (g) were added to the cells that were induced by CFs culture under hypoxia for 24 h. When all the antagonists were added, the CSCs migration number declined to a minimum level.

(a) Hypoxia 0 h

(b) Hypoxia 24 h

(c) VEGF antagonist

(d) TNF-α antagonist

(e) MMP-9 antagonist

(f) MMP-9/2 antagonist

(g) Cocktail of all antagonists