Immunogenicity and functional evaluation of iPSC-derived organs for transplantation

Whether physiologically induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived organs are immunogenic and can be used for transplantation is unclear. Here, we generated iPSC-derived skin, islet, and heart representing three germ layers of the body through 4n complementation and evaluated their immunogenicity and therapeutic efficacy. Upon transplantation into recipient mice, iPSC-derived skin successfully survived and repaired local tissue wounds. In diabetic mouse models, explanted iPSC-derived islets effectively produced insulin and lowered blood glucose to basal levels. iPSC-derived heart grafts maintained normal beating for more than 3 months in syngeneic recipients. Importantly, no obvious immune rejection responses against iPSC-derived organs were detected long after transplantation. Our study not only demonstrates the fundamental immunogenicity and function of iPSC derivatives, but also provides preclinical evidence to support the feasibility of using iPSC-derived skin, islet, and heart for therapeutic use.