title: Immunological barriers to stem-cell based cardiac repair.
abstract: Repair of damaged myocardium with pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes is becoming increasingly more feasible. Developments in stem cell research emphasize the need to address the foreseeable problem of immune rejection following transplantation. Pluripotent stem cell (PSC) derived cardiomyocytes have unique immune characteristics, some of which are not advantageous for transplantation. Here we review the possible mechanisms of PSC-derived cardiomyocytes rejection, summarize the current knowledge pertaining to immunogenicity of such cells and describe the existing controversies. Myocardial graft rejection can be reduced by modifying PSCs prior to their differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Overall, this approach facilitates the development of universal donor stem cells suitable for the regeneration of many different tissue types.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology and Physiology Department, The George Washington University, 2300 Eye Street, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
authors.forename: Zaruhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Karabekian
authors.forename: Nikki Gillum
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Posnack
authors.forename: Narine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sarvazyan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation; D012038:Regeneration
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation