Do stem cells have specific antigens on the surface?

[Dr Alexi]

and as a result can foreign stem cells be rejected as non self by another individual?
Then how does chimeraism work in the cases of donor stem cells being grafted to marrow cells of autoimmune patients if the donor cells have foreign antigens?

[Peter S]

Yes - they have HLA surface antigens and if the donor stem cells do not match the recipient they can be rejected.

[Sezer]

Stem cells do have antigens.

And they most certainly would be rejected bc the DNA make up of the cells is from a donor. The immune system is very meticulous.

Hence the greatness of adult stem cells, and therapeutic cloning for the generation of self stem cells.

[Bluetwinkle]

most patients that accept stem cell therapy, usually receive from donors that match. but even after receiving the stem cells, the patients have to go on immunosuppressive drugs to prevent graft vs host disease. That has it's own side effects/risks too, such as more likely to fall sick from other illnesses.

[luisillo]

Stem cell therapy is more commonly use in an autologous way, this means the recipient is also the donor. The exception would be bone marrow graft I guess.