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Human embryonic stem cells express an immunogenic nonhuman sialic acid
Nature Medicinevolume 11, pages228–232 (2005)Cite this article
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Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (HESC) can potentially generate every body cell type, making them excellent candidates for cell- and tissue-replacement therapies. HESC are typically cultured with animal-derived 'serum replacements' on mouse feeder layers. Both of these are sources of the nonhuman sialic acid Neu5Gc, against which many humans have circulating antibodies. Both HESC and derived embryoid bodies metabolically incorporate substantial amounts of Neu5Gc under standard conditions. Exposure to human sera with antibodies specific for Neu5Gc resulted in binding of immunoglobulin and deposition of complement, which would lead to cell killingin vivo. Levels of Neu5Gc on HESC and embryoid bodies dropped after culture in heat-inactivated anti-Neu5Gc antibody–negative human serum, reducing binding of antibodies and complement from high-titer sera, while allowing maintenance of the undifferentiated state. Complete elimination of Neu5Gc would be likely to require using human serum with human feeder layers, ideally starting with fresh HESC that have never been exposed to animal products.
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Authors and Affiliations
Glycobiology Research and Training Center and Departments of Medicine and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mailcode: 0687, San Diego, San Diego, 92093-0687, California, USA
Maria J Martin & Ajit Varki
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 92037, California, USA
Alysson Muotri & Fred Gage
- Maria J Martin
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- Alysson Muotri
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- Fred Gage
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- Ajit Varki
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Correspondence toAjit Varki.
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Martin, M., Muotri, A., Gage, F.et al. Human embryonic stem cells express an immunogenic nonhuman sialic acid.Nat Med11, 228–232 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1181
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