[Human embryonic stem cells forming embryoid bodies comprising multiple types of cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells in vitro.


METHODS
Human embryonic stem cells were cultured in suspension without feeder layers and bFGF in medium. mRNAs of different types of cells were analyzed by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
When Human embryonic stem cells were cultured in suspension without feeder layers and bFGF in medium, they formed floating aggregates termed embryoid bodies (EBs), in which many precursors and functional cells were detected by RT-PCR, such as neural and islet precursors, neurons, insulin-secreting cells,glucagon-secreting cells and liver cells et al.


CONCLUSIONS
Human embryonic stem cells are able to form embryoid bodies naturally in vitro which express specific markers of many types of precursors and mature functional cells.
Peng
Hong-mei
HM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100083, China. phmei@tsinghua.edu.cn
Chen
Gui-an
GA
D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D047108:Embryonic Development; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*