![]() However, given the reported success using mES cells, the scientific community is hopeful that the hES-derived cells will also prove effective in animal models of disease. Although hES cell derivatives have been engrafted (Zhang et al., 2001 Reubinoff et al., 2001), in vivo function has not yet been demonstrated. Mouse ES (mES) cell derivatives can be transplanted into the adult brain where they will survive, integrate, and provide functional improvement (McDonald et al., 1999 Bjorklund et al., 2002 Kim et al., 2002). In addition, cells of a particular phenotype can be mechanically enriched from heterogeneous differentiated hES cell populations (Carpenter et al., 2001 Levenberg et al., 2002 Xu et al., 2002a). Several investigators have now shown that hES cell differentiation can be directed/biased toward a particular phenotype (Carpenter et al., 2001 Kaufman et al., 2001 Xu et al., 2002b Rambhatla et al., 2003 and others). Because they are a pluripotent cell population that can be directed to differentiate to specific phenotypes, hES cells may serve as a universal bank of cells from which specific cells may be isolated for cell replacement therapies. While fewer than 10 cell lines have been well characterized, the data suggest that different cell lines show similar marker expression and capacity to differentiate (reviewed in Carpenter et al., 2004). ![]() Human ES (hES) cell lines were first isolated in 1998 and represent a cell population that has indefinite replicative capacity and can differentiate into endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm (Thomson et al., 1998 Reubinoff et al., 2000).
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