Single-cell RNA sequencing of Sox17-expressing lineages reveals distinct gene regulatory networks and dynamic developmental trajectories

Abstract During early embryogenesis, the transcription factor SOX17 contributes to hepato-pancreato-biliary system formation and vascular-hematopoietic emergence. To better understand Sox17 function in the developing endoderm and endothelium, we developed a dual-color temporal lineage-tracing strategy in mice combined with single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze 6934 cells from Sox17-expressing lineages at embryonic days 9.0-9.5. Our analyses showed 19 distinct cellular clusters combined from all 3 germ layers. Differential gene expression, trajectory and RNA-velocity analyses of endothelial cells revealed a heterogenous population of uncommitted and specialized endothelial subtypes, including 2 hemogenic populations that arise from different origins. Similarly, analyses of posterior foregut endoderm revealed subsets of hepatic, pancreatic, and biliary progenitors with overlapping developmental potency. Calculated gene-regulatory networks predict gene regulons that are dominated by cell type-specific transcription factors unique to each lineage. Vastly different Sox17 regulons found in endoderm versus endothelial cells support the differential interactions of SOX17 with other regulatory factors thereby enabling lineage-specific regulatory actions.