Blood group ABO antigen expression in human embryonic stem cells and in differentiated hepatocyte- and cardiomyocyte-like cells.
BACKGROUND
The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine and transplantation may require grafting of cells that will challenge the recipient's immune system. Our knowledge of tissue antigen expression in human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and during their differentiation is limited, especially regarding histo-blood group AB(O)H antigens.


METHODS
Nine different hESC lines, and hESC-derived hepatocyte- and cardiomyocyte-like cells, were blood group ABO genotyped and A/B antigen expression was studied by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
This study reveals, for the first time, that A and B antigens in hESC were expressed according to the ABO genotype and that the antigens had a different cellular/sub-cellular distribution. In addition, several genotype A hESC lines stained positive with one anti-B antibody. Furthermore, studies of hepatocyte- and cardiomyocyte-like cells of different maturation state, originating from a blood group B hESC line, showed that hepatocyte-like cells expressed B antigens whereas cardiomyocyte-like cells were negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Since clinical stem-cell therapy is likely to be performed with immature progenitor cells, blood group ABO compatibility of donor cells/recipients should be favorable to avoid unnecessary rejection problems caused by ABO incompatibility. The in vitro loss of B antigens in a genotype B hESC line indicates that loss of ABH antigens occurs early during human embryogenesis since these antigens are lacking in adult cardiomyocytes.
Mölne
Johan
J
Department of Pathology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Campus Sahlgrenska, Göteborg, Sweden.
Björquist
Petter
P
Andersson
Katarina
K
Diswall
Mette
M
Jeppsson
Anders
A
Strokan
Valeri
V
Rydberg
Lennart
L
Breimer
Michael E
ME
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005838:Genotype; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018807:Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D006017:Glycolipids