Pancreatic organogenesis mapped through space and time

Abstract

The spatial organization of cells within a tissue is dictated throughout dynamic developmental processes. We sought to understand whether cells geometrically coordinate with one another throughout development to achieve their organization. The pancreas is a complex cellular organ with a particular spatial organization. Signals from the mesenchyme, neurons, and endothelial cells instruct epithelial cell differentiation during pancreatic development. To understand the cellular diversity and spatial organization of the developing pancreatic niche, we mapped the spatial relationships between single cells over time. We found that four transcriptionally unique subtypes of mesenchyme in the developing pancreas spatially coordinate throughout development, with each subtype at fixed locations in space and time in relation to other cells, including beta cells, vasculature, and epithelial cells. Our work provides insight into the mechanisms of pancreatic development by showing that cells are organized in a space and time manner. This study explores how different types of cells, called mesenchyme, help form the pancreas during development. Researchers used various techniques to study mouse embryos and human fetal tissue. They identified several subtypes of mesenchyme in the developing pancreas and found that these subtypes are not randomly distributed; instead, they occupy specific locations. The study involved analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data (a method to study gene expression in individual cells) and using advanced imaging techniques to map the positions of these cells. The researchers discovered that different mesenchyme subtypes have unique roles, such as supporting blood vessel formation or nerve development. These findings suggest that understanding mesenchyme organization could improve regenerative medicine approaches for diseases like diabetes. Future research may explore how these cells interact with other pancreatic components over time. This summary was initially drafted using artificial intelligence, then revised and fact-checked by the author.