Figure 1. Experimental protocol.

Mice were subjected to a 60-min coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion to induce myocardial infarction (MI). Three months later, mice received the 1^st treatment (vehicle or CPCs) via echo-guided LV injection, followed by a 2^nd and 3^rd injection at 5-week intervals. Serial echocardiographic studies were performed before and 5 weeks after each injection. BrdU was given via mini-osmotic pumps right after the 1^st injection until the 2^nd injection. After the 3^rd injection, IdU was given for 5 weeks. Mice then underwent hemodynamic studies and the hearts were fixed for histological studies.