Selective neural differentiation method using ES gut

从小鼠胚胎干细胞可以稳定地形成表达蠕动样运动的肠样器官。在这个肠道中，产生蠕动的起搏细胞(ICC)可以在没有任何分化诱导因素的情况下稳定地分化。本研究在ES肠道的形成过程中，应用了一种特殊的神经元分化诱导因子(5-羟色胺4受体激动剂)，成功地形成了表达更完美蠕动的ES肠道。本研究结果将为阐明肠神经元缺乏的肠道疾病的条件和探索治疗提供许多线索。

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.