Selective neural differentiation method using ES gut

从小鼠胚胎干细胞（ES）中，可以稳定地形成表达蠕动运动的肠样器官。在这种肠道中，产生蠕动样运动的起搏器细胞（pacemaker cells， ICC）可以在没有任何分化诱导因子的情况下稳定分化。在本研究中，在ES肠的形成过程中，应用了一种特殊的神经元分化诱导因子（血清素4受体激动剂），成功地形成了表达更完善的肠蠕动的ES肠。本研究结果将为阐明肠道神经元缺失的情况和探索治疗方法提供许多提示。

From mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, the gut-like organ expressing peristalsis-like movements could be stably formed. In this gut, pacemaker cells (ICC) generating peristalsis-like movements could be stably differentiated without any differentiation inducing factors.In the present study, during the process forming the ES gut, a special neuron differentiation inducing factor (serotonin 4 receptor agonist) was applied, succeeding in formation of ES guts expressing more perfect peristalses.The results of this study would provide many hints to clarify the conditions and explore therapies of bowel diseases lacking enteric neurons.