[Human embryonic stem cells forming embryoid bodies comprising multiple types of cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells in vitro. METHODS: Human embryonic stem cells were cultured in suspension without feeder layers and bFGF in medium. mRNAs of different types of cells were analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: When Human embryonic stem cells were cultured in suspension without feeder layers and bFGF in medium, they formed floating aggregates termed embryoid bodies (EBs), in which many precursors and functional cells were detected by RT-PCR, such as neural and islet precursors, neurons, insulin-secreting cells,glucagon-secreting cells and liver cells et al. CONCLUSION: Human embryonic stem cells are able to form embryoid bodies naturally in vitro which express specific markers of many types of precursors and mature functional cells.