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Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.

Stem Cell Culture

Stem Cell Culture

Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...

iPS Cell Differentiation

iPS Cell Differentiation

The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Development of Stem Cell-derived Antigen-specific Regulatory T Cells Against Autoimmunity

Development of Stem Cell-derived Antigen-specific Regulatory T Cells Against Autoimmunity

Published on: November 8, 2016

Human embryonic stem cells: potential tool for achieving immunotolerance?

Pablo Menendez¹, Clara Bueno, Lisheng Wang

¹Krembil Centre for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, N6A 5K8, Canada.

Stem Cell Reviews

|December 5, 2006

Summary

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) show immune-privileged properties, suggesting their potential for cell replacement therapies. Further research into hESC immunobiology is needed to understand their role in inducing immune tolerance.

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Development of Stem Cell-derived Antigen-specific Regulatory T Cells Against Autoimmunity

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Published on: November 8, 2016

Derivation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Immunosurgery

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Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for the Generation of Tumor Antigen-specific T Cells

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Published on: October 24, 2019

Area of Science:

Stem cell biology
Immunology
Regenerative medicine

Background:

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) offer potential for cell replacement therapies.
Immune rejection is a major obstacle for hESC transplantation.
Emerging evidence suggests hESCs possess immune-privileged properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the immunomodulatory and immune tolerance-inducing potential of hESCs and their derivatives.
To investigate the immunological properties of hESCs for future therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature on hESC immunobiology.
Analysis of hESC expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and costimulatory molecules.
Assessment of hESC interaction with immune cells (natural killer cells, T-cells).
Evaluation of hESC immunogenicity in vivo (xenogenic transplantation models).

Main Results:

hESCs express low levels of MHC-I and lack MHC-II and costimulatory molecules.
hESCs are not recognized by natural killer cells and inhibit T-cell responses.
hESCs do not induce inflammatory responses in immunocompetent hosts.
hESC-derived cells may offer a strategy for inducing immune tolerance.

Conclusions:

hESCs exhibit unique immunological properties that warrant further investigation.
hESCs and their derivatives hold promise for developing immune-privileged cell therapies.
Understanding hESC immunobiology is crucial for advancing cell-based regenerative medicine.