Open AccessThe immune boundaries for stem cell based therapies: problems and prospective solutions
Author(s) -
Abdelkrim Hmadcha,
Juan DomínguezBendala,
Jane Wakeman,
Mohamed Arredouani,
Bernat Soria
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2009.00837.x
Subject(s) - stem cell , immune system , intensive care medicine , immune reaction , medicine , psychological intervention , risk analysis (engineering) , engineering ethics , immunology , biology , engineering , psychiatry , microbiology and biotechnology
Abstract• Introduction • Classification and sources of stem cells ‐ Embryonic stem ‐ Adult stem cells ‐ Mesenchymal stem cells ‐ Bone marrow and cord blood stem cells ‐ Amniotic fluid stem cells• Limitations of stem cells • Alternatives to overcome the limitations of stem cells • Histocompatibility and immune rejection • Are ESCs immunogenic or immunoprivileged? • Overcoming the need for immune manipulation to avoid rejection • Manipulating immune tolerance for stem cell‐based therapies • ConclusionsStem cells have fascinated the scientific and clinical communities for over a century. Despite the controversy that surrounds this field, it is clear that stem cells have the potential to revolutionize medicine. However, a number of significant hurdles still stand in the way of the realization of this potential. Chiefly among these are safety concerns, differentiation efficiency and overcoming immune rejection. Here we review current progress made in this field to optimize the safe use of stem cells with particular emphasis on prospective interventions to deal with challenges generated by immune rejection.