Embryonic stem cells properties

Kehat, I., D. Kenyagin-Karsenti, M. Snir, H. Segev, M. Amit, A. Gepstein, E. Livne, O. Binah, J. Itskovitz-Eldor, and L. Gepstein, Human embryonic stem cells can differentiate into myocytes with structural and functional properties of cardiomyocytes. J Clin Invest, 2001.108(3) 407-14. 

The embryonic stem cell test is an in vitro embryotoxicity test that uses permanent mouse cell lines that can differentiate into a variety of distinct cell types in vitro (Spielmann et al., 1997). The test has been validated in different laboratories utilizing known test chemicals with different embryotoxic properties (Scholz et al., 1999 Genschow et al.,... 

Kehat I. 2001. Human embryonic stem cells can differentiate into myocytes with structural and functional properties of cardiomyocytes. J. Clin. Invest. 108, 407-414. 

Hescheler J, Fleischmann BK, Lentdni S et al (1997) Embryonic stem cells a model to study structural and functional properties in cardiomyogenesis. Cardiovasc Res 36(2) 149-162... 

Most of the aforementioned donor cells are derived from different types of stem cells. AU stem cells - whether from adult or embryonic sources - share a number of properties [24]. First, they are capable of self-renewal, which means that they can generate stem cells with similar properties. Second, the stem cells are clonogenic, which means that each cell can form a colony in which all the cells are derived from this single cell and have identical genetic constitution. Third, they are capable of differentiation into one or more mature cell types. The different stem cells can be categorized anatomically, functionally, or by cell surface markers, transcription factors, and the proteins they express. One clear division of the stem cell family is between those in adult somatic tissue (known as adult stem cells) and those isolated from the embryo (known as embryonic stem cells) (see Part I, Chapter 11). 

Snir, M., Kehat, 1., Gepstein, A., Coleman, R., Itskovitz-Eldor, J., Livne, E. Gepstein, L. Assessment of the ultrastructural and proliferative properties of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 285, H2355-H2363 (2003). 

Carpenter M K, Rosier E S, Fisk G J, et al. (2004). Properties of four human embryonic stem cell lines maintained in a feeder-free culture system. Dev. Dyn. 229 243-258. 

Lee S, Kim J, ParkTJ, Shin Y, Lee SY, Han YM, Kang S, Park HS.The effects of the physical properties of culture substrates on the growth and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. Biomaterials 32(34) 8816-8829,201L... 

Pluripotency and plasticity are prominent properties of embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are thought to be restricted in their differentiation potential to the... 

In fact the transition from bench to market of combination products is often hindered by a series of scientific and economic issues. Both the determination of the ideal cell type and the ideal biomaterial for the specific application can be problematic. Often, the use of autologous differentiated cells would be the best solution, but their use may not be feasible because of limitation on isolation and expansion. Moreover, the use of autologous cells also can introduce infections risks deriving from the use of xenogenic factors or animal feeder layers in culture. Hopefully, adult and embryonic stem cells may provide alternative solutions. Also the determination of the most suitable biomaterial for the specific application is a challenge. Most of the currently available synthetic materials are subjected to a foreign body reaction that can lead to serious complications when implanted in the human body. The use of natural scaffolds circumvents this problem, but it introduces other drawbacks such as inappropriate mechanical properties. Smart combinations of synthetic scaffolds modified with natural... 

Thein-Han WW, Saikhun J, Pholpramoo C, Misra RDK, Kitiyanant Y (2009) Chitosan-gelatin scaffolds for tissue engineering physico-chemical properties and biological response of buffalo embryonic stem cells and transfectant of GFP-buffalo embryonic stem cells. Acta Biomater 5(9) 3453-3466... 

---