Table 1.

hESCs Meeting the Need for Cell-based Applications for Cardiac Repair (hESC:human Embryonic Stem Cell; CMC Cardiomyocytes; MHC:Major Histocompatibility Complex)

Ideal donor cell line properties	hESC line properties
Electrophysiological, structural and contractile properties comparable to CMCs; ability to inegrate structurally and functionally with host tissue	Plurality of cell lineage for transplantation of specialized CMC subtypes (pacemaking, atrial, ventricular, etc.) and/or endothelial progenitor cells to induce angioenesis
Retain an initial proliferative potential for colonization of the scar tissue	In vitro, differentiate schemes give the opportunity to choose the ESC-maturation stage
Ability to undergo genetic manipulation ex vivo to promote desirable characteristics (i.e. minimal immunogenicity; resistance to ischemia, apoptosis or antibiotics )	Clonal origin gives the opportunity for extensive characterization and genetic manipulation (e.g. decrease the expression of MHC, to preform an antibiotic-cell selection in vitro
Autologus origin	Derivation of ESC lines specifically for each patient with somatic nuclear transfer
Large quantities for transplantation	Currently the only cell source with this potential property