Stem cell medicine encounters the immune system.
Recent progress in deriving human embryonic stem (hES) cells and defining their capacity to differentiate has inspired hope that they could become a source of replacement cells for damaged or diseased tissues. We review the immunological barriers to transplanting hES cells and consider several potential solutions, including stem-cell banking, modification of the immunogenicity of donor cells and induction of tolerance to the graft. We evaluate the probable efficacy of these approaches with a view to facilitating the use of hES cells in clinical practice.
Bradley
J Andrew
JA
Department of Surgery, Cambridge University Clinical School, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. jab@cam.ac.uk
Bolton
Eleanor M
EM
Pedersen
Roger A
RA
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility; D002678:Chimera / Q000276:immunology; D006648:Histocompatibility; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents