Journal of

Background and Aim: Embryonic stem cells are identified with two unique characteristics. First, they can be maintained and expanded as pure populations of undifferentiated cells, a characteristic which is known as self renewal aspect of embryonic stem cells. Second, these cells can give rise to all body cell types. In the current study, we used a feeder-free condition to differentiate mouse embryonic stem cells into lymphoid lineage by IL-7 and FLT-3 ligand.

Materials and Methods: Mouse embryonic stem cells cultured on mouse embryonic fibroblasts were separated from the feeder layer. Then, embryoid bodies were formed from mouse embryonic stem cells. Following that, differentiation was performed by FLT-3 ligand and IL-7. In order to demonstrate the differentiation into lymphoid lineages, the expression of CD25, CD19 and CD3 was assessed by RT-PCR technique on days 7 and 14.

Results: After 14 days of differentiation into lymphoid lineages by defined factors, RT-PCR results showed the expression of CD25 and CD19 markers.

Conclusion: In all previous studies, mouse embryonic stem cells were differentiated into lymphoid lineage by OP9 stromal feeder cells. In this study, a feeder-free condition was used to differentiate mouse embryonic stem cells into lymphoid lineage. It is hoped that the present study can lead to new insights in cell therapy of lymphoid deficiency disorders.