Generation of Lymphohematopoietic Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells in Culture

An efficient system was developed that induced the differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into blood cells of erythroid, myeloid, and B cell lineages by coculture with the stromal cell line OP9. This cell line does not express functional macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The presence of M-CSF had inhibitory effects on the differentiation of ES cells to blood cells other than macrophages. Embryoid body formation or addition of exogenous growth factors was not required, and differentiation was highly reproducible even after the selection of ES cells with the antibiotic G418. Combined with the ability to genetically manipulate ES cells, this system will facilitate the study of molecular mechanisms involved in development and differentiation of hematopoietic cells.