Cited by 71Pancreatic function and diabetesSingle-cell and spatial transcriptomicsDiabetes and associated disorders

Single-cell lineage analysis reveals extensive multimodal transcriptional control during directed beta-cell differentiation

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Weng, Chen, Xi, Jiajia, Li, Haiyan, Cui, Jian, Gu, Anniya, Lai, Sisi, Leskov, Konstantin, Ke, Luxin +2 more·2020·Nature Metabolism

Abstract

The in vitro differentiation of insulin-producing beta-like cells can model aspects of human pancreatic development. Here, we generate 95,308 single-cell transcriptomes and reconstruct a lineage tree of the entire differentiation process from human embryonic stem cells to beta-like cells to study temporally regulated genes during differentiation. We identify so-called 'switch genes' at the branch point of endocrine/non-endocrine cell fate choice, revealing insights into the mechanisms of differentiation-promoting reagents, such as NOTCH and ROCKII inhibitors, and providing improved differentiation protocols. Over 20% of all detectable genes are activated multiple times during differentiation, even though their enhancer activation is usually unimodal, indicating extensive gene reuse driven by different enhancers. We also identify a stage-specific enhancer at the TCF7L2 locus for diabetes, uncovered by genome-wide association studies, that drives a transient wave of gene expression in pancreatic progenitors. Finally, we develop a web app to visualize gene expression on the lineage tree, providing a comprehensive single-cell data resource for researchers studying islet biology and diabetes.

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  • Despite the use of different pluripotent stem cell lines and protocols, two scRNA-seq roadmaps observed well-known markers of pancreatic progenitors (e.g., PDX1, NKX6-1) during the middle stages of differentiation and islet-specific endocrine identity markers in their final cell populations.

    “Despite the use of different pluripotent stem cell lines and protocols, both roadmaps observed well-known markers of pancreatic progenitors (e.g., PDX1, NKX6-1) during the middle stages of differentiation as well as islet-specific endocrine identity markers in their final cell populations (e.g., INS for β cells, GCG for α cells, SST for δ cells).”

    From Developments in stem cell-derived islet replacement therapy for treating type 1 diabetes (2023) · cites this paper as [50]

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  • Both scRNA-seq roadmaps detected significant cell diversification following the pancreatic progenitor stages.

    “Interestingly, both scRNA-seq roadmaps detected significant cell diversification following the pancreatic progenitor stages.”

    From Developments in stem cell-derived islet replacement therapy for treating type 1 diabetes (2023) · cites this paper as [50]

    In Results, “A time-series single cell transcriptomic atlas during pancreatic β cell differentiation” (page unavailable), the paper says its cultures were relatively homogeneous before the pancreatic progenitor stage and much more heterogeneous later. It also reports cell populations found in an independent scRNA-seq dataset, but does not establish that both roadmaps detected diversification specifically after the pancreatic progenitor stage. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The final non-endocrine off-target populations, including duct-like and pancreatic stellate-like cells, branched during pancreatic progenitor stages.

    “In contrast, the final non-endocrine off-target populations, including duct-like and pancreatic stellate-like cells, branched during pancreatic progenitor stages.”
  • NOTCH signaling via HES1 was implicated as a driver of a non-endocrine fate.

    “Of note, NOTCH signaling via HES1 was implicated as a driver of a non-endocrine fate.”
  • 1,150 endocrine-specific switch genes were identified, and it was inferred that 656 pairs of transcription factor and target gene interactions potentially influenced endocrine specification.

    “1,150 endocrine-specific switch genes were identified, and it was inferred that 656 pairs of transcription factor and target gene interactions potentially influenced endocrine specification.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [49]Viñuela A Influence of genetic variants on gene expression in human pancreatic islets - implications for type 2 diabetes. bioRxiv, doi:doi: 10.1101/655670 (2019). · DOI

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Authors
Weng, C., Xi, J., Li, H., Cui, J., Gu, A., Lai, S., Leskov, K., Ke, L., Jin, F., & Li, Y.
Affiliations
  • Case Western Reserve University (US)
  • Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (US)
Corresponding author
  • Jin, Fulai
  • Li, Yan
Venue
Nature Metabolism
Published
2020-11-30
Volume
2
Issue
12
Pages
1443-1458
ISSN
2522-5812 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3107485993
Cited by
65
References
67
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8
FWCI
6.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Mount Sinai Health System (OSA510113, OSA510114)
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Human Genome Research Institute (R01HG009658)
  • Case Western Reserve University (VSN639001)
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK113185)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Pancreatic function and diabetes
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Diabetes and associated disorders
Keywords
beta cell differentiation, human embryonic stem cells, single-cell transcriptomics, lineage trees, switch genes, TCF7L2, pancreatic progenitors, Notch inhibitors, diabetes mellitus, differentiation protocols, gene expression waves
MeSH terms
Transcription Factor HES-1, Insulin Secretion, Cell Differentiation, Diabetes Mellitus, Genes, Switch, Glucose, Humans, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Cell Lineage, Insulin-Secreting Cells, Embryonic Stem Cells, Gene Knockdown Techniques, Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein

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