Figure. 6.

HSR plays a vital role in the functional potential of hCDCs. HSF-1 transcription factor was knock down (KD) using siRNA in ESHF derived CDCs (ESHF(HSF1-KD)). (A) Knockdown of HSF1 by siRNA, administration, and sample collection was performed as outlined. (B–C) HSF-1 and HSP70 expression was decreased to less than 5% expressed in ESHF (HSF1-KD). (D) HSF-1 KD reduced the expression of HSF-1 and VEGF-1A protein. (E–I) Secretion of paracrine factors was significantly reduced after HSF-1 knockdown in ESHF derived CDCs: VEGF-1A (P=0.03), SDF-1α (P=0.0043), PGDFB (P=0.008), ANG-2 (P=0.016) and FGF-2 (P=0.006) but no difference was seen for HGF. (K) Representative images of HUVEC tube formation (left) and quantification of total tube length (right) after plating HUVEC cells on matrix coated wells with IMDM condition medium from ESHF and ESHF (HSF1-KD) CDCs (scale bar = 100µm) (****=P<0.0001, ***=P<0.001, **=P<0.01). (L) Knockdown of HSF-1 in ESHF derived CDCs resulted in reduction of left ventricle ejection fraction as determined by echocardiography at 7 days and at 28 days.