Figure 1.

Effects of transplanted MSCs on diabetic cardiomyopathy. (a) MSCs increase the activity of MMP-2 and decrease the activity of MMP-9 and attenuate cardiac remodeling. (b) MSCs produce VEGF, IGF-1, AM, HGF and stimulate myogenesis and angiogenesis in damaged myocardium. (c) Through differentiation into cardiomyocytes and vascular endothelial cells, MSCs improve myocardial perfusion and myocardium regeneration. Abbreviations: AM, adrenomedullin; HGF, hepatocyte growth factor; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor-1; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; MSC, mesenchymal stem cell; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.