Eomes Directs the Formation of Spatially and Functionally Diverse Extra-Embryonic Mesoderm Derived Tissues
type: CreativeWork
description: During mouse embryonic development, the first mesodermal cells to originate at the posterior primitive streak will give rise to the extra-embryonic mesoderm (ExEM). These cells will contribute to key tissues supporting the development of the embryo, including the amnion, chorion, yolk-sac, and allantois. Together, they protect the embryo and play key roles in the supply of nutrients and oxygen, waste management, haematopoiesis, and establishing the maternal-foetal interface. Embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived in vitro differentiation systems serve as an invaluable resource for the study of embryogenesis, with many systems being tailored to recapitulate specific aspects of development. However, in vitro models of the murine ExEM compartment are mostly designed to mimic yolk-sac haematopoiesis, while lacking the remaining ExEM derivatives. While the allantois can be cultured ex vivo, experiments ultimately still require embryos to acquire the initial starting material. In Chapter 2 of this thesis, I perform in-depth single-cell characterization of a previously established in vitro system, identifying that it simultaneously recapitulates both yolk-sac and allantois development. This allows for the identification of molecular dynamics that distinguish the early progenitors of these lineages. As such, I uncover gene expression and chromatin accessibility dynamics that are differentially regulated between the yolk-sac and allantois, revealing both known and novel differences in transcription factors and signalling pathway members. One of the genes showing specificity for early yolk-sac progenitors, is the T-box transcription factor Eomesodermin (Eomes). Eomes is expressed early in gastrulation and plays known roles in various extra-embryonic and embryonic tissues, such as the trophectoderm, visceral and definitive endoderm, and various anterior mesodermal tissues. Additionally, Eomes has been implicated to be an important regulator of yolk-sac haematopoiesis, but was thoug…
abstract: During mouse embryonic development, the first mesodermal cells to originate at the posterior primitive streak will give rise to the extra-embryonic mesoderm (ExEM). These cells will contribute to key tissues supporting the development of the embryo, including the amnion, chorion, yolk-sac, and allantois. Together, they protect the embryo and play key roles in the supply of nutrients and oxygen, waste management, haematopoiesis, and establishing the maternal-foetal interface. Embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived in vitro differentiation systems serve as an invaluable resource for the study of embryogenesis, with many systems being tailored to recapitulate specific aspects of development. However, in vitro models of the murine ExEM compartment are mostly designed to mimic yolk-sac haematopoiesis, while lacking the remaining ExEM derivatives. While the allantois can be cultured ex vivo, experiments ultimately still require embryos to acquire the initial starting material. In Chapter 2 of this thesis, I perform in-depth single-cell characterization of a previously established in vitro system, identifying that it simultaneously recapitulates both yolk-sac and allantois development. This allows for the identification of molecular dynamics that distinguish the early progenitors of these lineages. As such, I uncover gene expression and chromatin accessibility dynamics that are differentially regulated between the yolk-sac and allantois, revealing both known and novel differences in transcription factors and signalling pathway members. One of the genes showing specificity for early yolk-sac progenitors, is the T-box transcription factor Eomesodermin (Eomes). Eomes is expressed early in gastrulation and plays known roles in various extra-embryonic and embryonic tissues, such as the trophectoderm, visceral and definitive endoderm, and various anterior mesodermal tissues. Additionally, Eomes has been implicated to be an important regulator of yolk-sac haematopoiesis, but was thoug…
author: Theeuwes, Bart
keywords: allantois, anterior primitive streak, bio-informatics, chimera, embryonic development, Eomesodermin, extra-embryonic mesoderm, in vitro differentiation, single-cell multi-omics, stem cell biology, transcription factor, yolk-sac
license: https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/062a2539-f5c9-41d5-a80b-a3e2c579785a/download
license: http://purl.org/NET/rdflicense/allrightsreserved
date published: 2025-03-17
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:24:31Z
provider: Cambridge University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Cambridge

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.17863/CAM.120096