Coagulation factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX and X are produced by hepatocytes. So factors VIII and IX deficiencies, which result in hemophilia A and B, have the potential to respond to cellular re- placement therapy. Embryonic stem (ES) cells provide a unique source for therapeutic applications. Here, E14 mouse ES cells have been induced into hepatocytes in vitro. Morphology revealed that ES-derived hepatic-like cells were round or polyhedral shaped with distinct boundary of individual cells, and some arranged in trabeculae. These cells expressed endodermal- or liver-specific mRNA --transthyretin (TTR), α1-anti-trypsin (AAT), α-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin (ALB), glucose-6- phoshpatase (G6P) and tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT). Approximately (85.1(0.5)% of the ES-de- rived cells was stained positive green with ICG uptake. These cells were also stained magenta as a result of PAS reaction. In this paper, expression of coagulation factors VIII and IX mRNA in the ES-derived cells is documented. Therefore, ES cells might be developed as substitute donor cells for the therapy of coagulation factor deficiencies.
