Abstract: Objective To induce embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to differentiate into the renal cells in vitro and to spontaneously formed the kidney-like structure including glomerular, proximal tubules, distal tubules and vascular network. Methods ESCs were cultured to 40-50% of confluence. Under the action of cytokine FGF9 and CHIR99021, the differentiation of ESCs was induced to form the kidney-like structure, which was examined by immunofluorescence staining and electron microscopy to observe its internal structures and take images. Results Through the action of cytokine FGF9 and CHIR99021, ESCs can be induced to differentiate into renal like structures, including glomerular, proximal tubules, distal tubules and vascular network, which was confirmed by the structural identification. Conclusions The kidney-like structure generated by the differentiation of ESCs contains complete renal units and vascular network, which is similar to the normal kidney.

Key words: Embryonic stem cells, cell differentiation, kidney-like structure