Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells possess the capacity for self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into all cell types of the three embryonic germ layers. Accordingly, given their potential use in regenerative medicine, they have long attracted the attention of researchers. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) represent the model pluripotent stem cell population. However, the use of ESCs in regenerative therapies faces major hurdles-namely, immune rejection and the necessity to use early-stage embryos for ESC isolation.