Stem cell transplantation: new approach 'protects from rejection'

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Many patients who undergo stem cell transplantations run the risk that their immune system may reject the donor cells. But new research from the University of California-San Diego has detailed a new approach that may help tackle this problem. This is according to a study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

The research team, led by Yang Xu, says their findings may also provide researchers with a better understanding as to how tumors avert the immune system as they spread throughout the human body.

In collaboration with researchers from China, the investigators created "humanized" laboratory mice.

The mice had a functional human immune system that was able to effectively reject a large number of foreign cells that originated from human embryonic stem cells.

The researchers explain that since human embryonic stem cells are "allogenic," meaning they differ from the body's own cells, a healthy human immune system will naturally attack the stem cells.

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Stem cell transplantation: new approach 'protects from rejection'