FIG. 6. Neovascularization induced by BM cells salvages the endangered cardiac cells in the ischemic area.

Myocardial infarction is caused by occlusion of coronary arteries, which supply oxygen and nutrients to the myocardium. The core of the affected area undergoes acute necrosis due to severe deprivation of oxygen and nutrients such as glucose, whereas the surrounding area of the necrotic core has relatively mild, but chronic ischemia. Without cell therapy, progressive loss of the endangered cardiomyocytes of the surrounding area occurs over time. However, when bone marrow (BM) cells are applied to the affected myocardium, the endangered cardiac cells are salvaged from further loss. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article at www.liebertonline.com/ars).