Human embryonic stem (ES) cells get no free pass from the immune system, contrary to some researchers' early hopes. As the cells differentiate, they express increasing levels of the telltale tags the body uses to distinguish between native and foreign cells. The findings, published online this week by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, confirm that a patient's immune system would be likely to reject transplanted tissues derived from ES cells. Scientists hoping to use the cells to treat Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and other maladies will therefore have to find ways to reconcile the body's defense system with the transplanted cells.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Gretchen Vogel (2002) studied this question.