title: Human embryonic stem cells.
abstract: The establishment of permanent human embryonic stem cell lines (hESCs) was first reported in 1998. Due to their pluripotent nature and ability to differentiate to all cell types in the body, they have been considered as a cell source for regenerative medicine. Since then, intensive studies have been carried out regarding factors regulating pluripotency and differentiation. hESCs are obtained from supernumerary human IVF (in vitro fertilization) embryos that cannot be used for the couple's infertility treatment. Today, we can establish and expand these cells in animal substance-free conditions, even from single cells biopsied from eight-cell stage embryos. There are satisfactory tests for the demonstration of genetic stability, absence of tumorigenic mutations, functionality, and safety of hESCs. Clinical trials are ongoing for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and spinal cord injury (SCI). This review focuses on the present state of these techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Pauliina.Damdimopoulou@ki.se.
authors.forename: Pauliina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Damdimopoulou
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Sergey.Rodin@ki.se.
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodin
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Sonya.Stenfelt@ki.se.
authors.forename: Sonya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stenfelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Liselotte.Antonsson@ki.se.
authors.forename: Liselotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Antonsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore. Electronic address: Karl.tryggvason@ki.se.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tryggvason
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Outi.Hovatta@ki.se.
authors.forename: Outi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hovatta
mesh_terms: D001757:Blastomeres; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D000066449:Human Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000628:therapy*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation
keywords: age-related macular degeneration; embryonic stem cell; pluripotency; regenerative medicine; spinal cord injury