Exosomal CircHIPK3 Released from Hypoxia-Induced Cardiomyocytes Regulates Cardiac Angiogenesis after Myocardial Infarction

Figure 1

HPC-exos stimulate neovascularization and improve cardiac function at 4 weeks following MI. PBS, Nor-exos, and HPC-exos were delivered to the border area of MI at the moment of injury. Four weeks following MI, the neovascularization density, cardiac function, and fibrosis levels were evaluated. (a) Representative echocardiographic images. The LVEF% (b) and LVIDd (c) were calculated in various groups as indicated ( for the PBS group and for the Nor-exo and HPC-exo groups). (d) CD31 immunolabeling in the infarcted area. (e) Quantification of CD31-positive cells. (f) Representative cross-sectional images of hearts subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson’s trichrome staining 4 weeks after exosome transplantation. The blue color indicates fibrosis, and the red color indicates myocardial fibers. (g, h) HPC-exo transplantation reduced the fibrotic area (, ; , compared with the sham group, ^# compared with the PBS group, and ^& compared with the Nor-exo group).

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