[Neural-precursor-cells-phase is not the indispensable checkpoint of embryonic stem cell differentiation into...

Investigation on the pathways of embryonic stem cells differentiation into insulin-producing cells is of importance to pancreatic tissue-engineering. Instead of passing through the classic multi-step-inducing method, the expanded embryonic stem cells that were cultured and expanded in the presence of mouse embryonic fibroblast feed-layer and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) were induced into insulin-producing cells directly. The results showed a similar consequence from two different inducing cultures. Without passing through a so-called indispensable differentiation phase, the neural-precursor-cell-stage, the expanded embryonic stem cells could be induced into insulin-producing cells. The insulin-producing cells population resulting from our modified method were similar to that resulting from the classic multi-step method (passing through the neural-precursor-cells-stage), thus suggesting that neural-precursor-cell-phase is not the indispensable checkpoint of embryonic stem cell differentiation into insulin-producing cells. Embryonic stem cells can be induced into insulin-producing cell by classic multi-step inducing method or by direct inducing method.