Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） for myocardial reconstruction has shown promise in both animal models and human phase 1 clinical studies. Vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） is a strong therapeutic agent for treating ischaemia by inducing angiogenesis. The feasibility of ex vivo MSCs mediated gene transfer is documented. Matsumoto and colleagues have recently reported genetically engineered MSCs carrying VEGF165 delivery for revascularization in a model of acute myocardial infarction （MI）. The promising data from our laboratory in both angiogenesis and MSCs transplantation in cunicular heart model of acute MI have prompted us to attempt the combined and simultaneous application of the two strategies.
