Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

08:45
Tissue Engineering of the Intestine in a Murine Model
Published on: December 1, 2012
In vitro organogenesis of gut-like structures from mouse embryonic stem cells
M Kuwahara1, T Ogaeri, R Matsuura
1Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
Neurogastroenterology and Motility
|April 7, 2004
Summary
Mouse embryonic stem cells form contracting gut-like organs in vitro. This process mimics embryonic gut development, offering a model for studying organogenesis and enteric nervous system development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Embryonic stem (ES) cells possess pluripotency, differentiating into various cell types.
- Previously, mouse ES cells were shown to form contracting gut-like organs from embryoid bodies (EBs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation process of ES cell-derived gut-like structures.
- To compare this in vitro formation with embryonic gut development in vivo.
- To establish a model for studying gut organogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) from mouse embryonic stem cells.
- Investigation of the structural and functional characteristics of the gut-like structures.
- Comparative analysis with embryonic gut development in vivo.
Main Results:
- Gut-like structures exhibited spontaneous contractions and possessed a lumen surrounded by three distinct layers: epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis.
- Ganglia and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were observed within these structures.
- The in vitro formation process closely resembled embryonic gut development in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The ES cell-derived gut-like structures serve as a valuable model for studying gut organogenesis.
- This model facilitates research into the factors inducing gut development.
- It is also useful for investigating enteric neuron and ICC development.

