title: Position-dependent plasticity of distinct progenitor types in the primitive streak.
abstract: The rostrocaudal (head-to-tail) axis is supplied by populations of progenitors at the caudal end of the embryo. Despite recent advances characterising one of these populations, the neuromesodermal progenitors, their nature and relationship to other populations remains unclear. Here we show that neuromesodermal progenitors are a single Sox2(low)T(low) entity whose choice of neural or mesodermal fate is dictated by their position in the progenitor region. The choice of mesoderm fate is Wnt/β-catenin dependent. Wnt/β-catenin signalling is also required for a previously unrecognised phase of progenitor expansion during mid-trunk formation. Lateral/ventral mesoderm progenitors represent a distinct committed state that is unable to differentiate to neural fates, even upon overexpression of the neural transcription factor Sox2. They do not require Wnt/β-catenin signalling for mesoderm differentiation. This information aids the correct interpretation of in vivo genetic studies and the development of in vitro protocols for generating physiologically-relevant cell populations of clinical interest.
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Filip J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Wymeersch
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Yali
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9295-237X
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blin
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Noemí
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cambray
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wilkie
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Frederick C K
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D047108:Embryonic Development; D008648:Mesoderm; D051379:Mice; D054240:Primitive Streak; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway
keywords: axis elongation; developmental biology; lateral mesoderm; mouse; neuromesodermal progenitors; primitive streak; stem cells; wnt/β-catenin signalling