Single cell transcriptomics identifies a signaling network coordinating endoderm and mesoderm diversification during foregut organogenesis

Nat Commun. 2020 Aug 27;11(1):4158. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17968-x.

Abstract

Visceral organs, such as the lungs, stomach and liver, are derived from the fetal foregut through a series of inductive interactions between the definitive endoderm (DE) and the surrounding splanchnic mesoderm (SM). While DE patterning is fairly well studied, the paracrine signaling controlling SM regionalization and how this is coordinated with epithelial identity is obscure. Here, we use single cell transcriptomics to generate a high-resolution cell state map of the embryonic mouse foregut. This identifies a diversity of SM cell types that develop in close register with the organ-specific epithelium. We infer a spatiotemporal signaling network of endoderm-mesoderm interactions that orchestrate foregut organogenesis. We validate key predictions with mouse genetics, showing the importance of endoderm-derived signals in mesoderm patterning. Finally, leveraging these signaling interactions, we generate different SM subtypes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which previously have been elusive. The single cell data can be explored at: https://research.cchmc.org/ZornLab-singlecell .

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Lineage / genetics
  • Digestive System / cytology
  • Digestive System / embryology
  • Digestive System / metabolism*
  • Endoderm / cytology
  • Endoderm / embryology
  • Endoderm / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Regulatory Networks*
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Mesoderm / cytology
  • Mesoderm / embryology
  • Mesoderm / metabolism*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Organogenesis / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Transcription Factors