immunogenecity of stem cells

the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neuronal degenerative disease, present a challenge to find more effective therapies. stem cell-based therapy, including embryonic, umbilical cord blood and adult stem cells provides a rational treatment tool for regenerative medicine and has the potential to revolutionize modern therapy. however, there are many obstacles to the successful outcome of transplanted stem cells. one of the most important obstacles which has limited their practical usefulness is immunological barrier. this review will focus on the potential mechanisms that the immune system could use to target transplanted stem cells and how unwanted responses might be prevented.