Survival of priceless cells: active and passive protection of embryonic stem cells against immune destruction.
This review focuses on our current knowledge of the mechanisms employed by embryonic stem (ES) cells to avoid destruction by cell-mediated immune responses. Recently, ES cells have been found to shield themselves against cytotoxic effector cells by expressing CD95L and serine protease inhibitor SPI-6 mediating apoptosis of the cytotoxic cells and inactivation of granzyme B, respectively. These findings are discussed in view of their implications for using ES cell-derived transplants in regenerative medicine as well as for our understanding of early embryonic stages during invasion and implantation.
Utermöhlen
Olaf
O
Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Medical Center of the University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. olaf.utermoehlen@uk.koeln.de
Krönke
Martin
M
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000276:immunology; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000276:immunology*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018448:Models, Immunological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins