Engineering of the immune system for human ESC- and iPSC-derived grafts

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent a potential source of cells and tissues for regenerative medicine. Although hESCs are known to display some immune-privileged properties and patient-specific iPSCs have been expected to be ‘autologous’, post-transplantation rejection remains a major hurdle in the development of pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based therapies. Here we describe the immunological barriers involved and approaches to promote the acceptance of PSC-derived grafts.