Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can differentiate to endothelial progenitor cells and vascular endothelial cells (VECs), but the mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we synthesized 2 chiral compounds (R-ABO and S-ABO) and identified R-ABO as an effective inducer of ESC differentiation into VECs. Furthermore, we found that R-ABO induced ESC differentiation into VECs via homeobox containing 1 (Hmbox1) that acted upstream of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). The data suggest that R-ABO is a novel tool for ESC differentiation into VECs, and Hmbox1 is a key regulator in this differentiation process. These findings provide information on a novel target and a new platform for further investigating the gene control of ESC differentiation to VECs.
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