Isolation, culture, and characterisation of mouse embryonic oesophagus and intestine

The gastrointestinal tract of vertebrates is lined by epithelium that develops from the endodermal germ layer. The oesophagus and intestine form part of the gastrointestinal tract and studying the normal development of both tissues is difficult due to lack of suitable in vitro model systems. One of the criteria for a reliable culture model includes the ability to carry out real-time observations in vitro. The method we describe here is based on the isolation of embryonic oesophagus and intestine from 11.5-day-old embryos and culture on fibronectin-coated coverslips in basal Eagle's medium and 20% fetal bovine serum. This model permits real-time observations of both tissues and over a few days in culture, markers of differentiation appear. This culture system appears to recapitulate normal oesophagus and intestine development.