Direct differentiation of embryonic stem cells into neural cells without embryonic body culture period in vitro / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the feasibility and effect of directly differentiation of embryonic stem cells(ESC) into neural cells induced by retinoid acid(RA) without embryonic body(EB) culture period in vitro.METHODS: ESC were digested and divided into 4 groups: group A and B were undergone EB culturing.After that,cells in group A were induced by RA,cells in group B were differentiated spontaneously,cells in group C were committedly induced by RA directly without EB culturing,and cells in group D were differentiated spontaneously without EB period.Morphologic changes were observed under inverted microscope and scanning electron microscope.MAP-2 and GFAP were detected by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry after differentiated for 9 days.RESULTS: In groups A or C,neuron-like cells increased gradually,forming neural network.At the 9th day,a large part of cells in these groups were MAP-2 positive cells,and the positive rate was higher than that in groups B or D(P0.05).CONCLUSION: ESC was directly induced into neural cells by RA without EB culture period in vitro.This modified method has the same effect as the traditional RA 4-/4+ assay and can replace the traditional method.