Assessing Exosome Therapy Efficacy in Myocardial Infarction with Manganese-Enhanced MRI in a Porcine Model

Motivation: Effective imaging methods are needed to assess the mechanisms of exosome therapy in myocardial infarction (MI) recovery. Goal(s): This study aimed to compare delayed-enhancement MRI (DEMRI) and manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) in evaluating the therapeutic effects of iCM- and MSC-derived exosomes on cardiac function. Approach: Yorkshire swine underwent LAD occlusion and reperfusion, followed by injections of PBS (control) or exosomes into the peri-infarct region. Cardiac function and viability were measured via DEMRI and MEMRI. Results: MEMRI captured significant viability improvements with exosome therapy, highlighting its potential as a superior modality for assessing cardiac recovery mechanisms. Impact: This study demonstrates MEMRI's potential as a superior imaging modality for assessing exosome therapy efficacy in myocardial infarction, providing insights into regenerative mechanisms and highlighting the therapeutic promise of iCM- and MSC-derived exosomes in cardiac therapeutics.