Figure 8.

Schematic diagram of the different progenitor origins of MCH neurons suggested in the current study. SFEBq culture of mESCs in gfCDM with or without exogenous Hh signals can generate Nkx2.1⁺Nkx2.2⁺ ventral hypothalamic progenitors or Rax⁻Pax6⁺ dorsal hypothalamic/prethalamic progenitors, respectively, within a week. The Nkx2.1⁺Nkx2.2⁺ early progenitors directly produce MCH⁺CART⁻ neurons and Nkx2.1⁺Nkx2.2⁺ intermediate progenitors, the latter of which generate MCH⁺CART⁺ neurons. The Rax⁻Pax6⁺ early progenitors also differentiate into MCH⁺CART⁺ neurons through Nkx2.1⁺Nkx2.2⁻ intermediate progenitors.