Abstract 8: Effectiveness of Combination Allogeneic Stem Cells in a Novel Large Animal Model of Chronic Kidney Disease-induced Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are the primary manifestations of the cardiorenal syndrome in 60 to 80% of CKD patients. Therapies that improve morbidity and mortality in HFpEF are lacking. Stem cell therapy reduces fibrosis, increases neovascularization, and promotes cardiac repair in ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. We hypothesized that stem cell treatment ameliorates HFpEF in a CKD model. Methods: Yorkshires pigs (n=27) underwent 5/6 nephrectomy via renal artery embolization and 4-weeks later received either: allogeneic (allo-) MSC (10х10 6 ), allo-kidney c-kit + cells (c-kit; 10х10 6 ), combination (MSC+c-kit; 1:1 ratio [5х10 6 each]), or placebo (each n=5). Cell therapy was delivered via the patent renal artery. Kidney function, renal and cardiac MRI, and PV loops were measured at baseline, and at 4- and 12-weeks (euthanasia) post-embolization. Results: The CKD model was confirmed by increased creatinine and BUN and decreased GFR. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was not different between groups from baseline to 4 weeks (p=0.7). HFpEF was demonstrated at 4 weeks by increased LV mass (20.3%; p= 0.0001), wall thickening (p Conclusion: A CKD large animal model manifests the characteristics of HFpEF. Intra-renal artery allogeneic cell therapy was safe. A beneficial effect of cell therapy was observed in the combination and MSC groups. These findings have important implications on the use of cell therapy for HFpEF and cardiorenal syndrome.