Single-cell transcriptomic analyses reveal distinct dorsal/ventral pancreatic programs

The pancreas of vertebrates is separately derived from both the dorsal and ventral endodermal domains. However, the difference between these two programs has been unclear. Here, using a pancreatic determination gene, Pdx1, driven GFP transgenic mouse strain, we identified Pdx1-GFP highly expressing cells (Pdx1(high)) and Pdx1-GFP lowly expressing cells (Pdx1(low)) in both embryonic dorsal Pdx1-expressing region (DPR) and ventral Pdx1-expressing region (VPR). We analyzed the transcriptomes of single Pdx1(low) and Pdx1(high) cells from the DPR and VPR. In the VPR, Pdx1(low) cells have an intermediate progenitor identity and can generate hepatoblasts, extrahepatobiliary cells, and Pdx1(high) pancreatic progenitor cells. In the DPR, Pdx1(high) cells are directly specified as pancreatic progenitors, whereas Pdx1(low) cells are precocious endocrine cells. Therefore, our study defines distinct road maps for dorsal and ventral pancreatic progenitor specification. The findings provide guidance for optimization of current -cell induction protocols by following the in vivo dorsal pancreatic specification program.