NKX2-5 and Myocardial fibrosis: The LVEF was increased by 43.4% and 49.9% in rats treated with BMMSCs and Nkx2.5-transfected BMMSCs, respectively. Further, Nkx2.5 transfection improved MSCs differentiation into cardiomyocyte-like cells and reduced myocardial fibrosis.