The single-cell and spatial transcriptional landscape of human gastrulation and brain

The emergence of the three germ layers and the lineage-specific precursor cells orchestrating organogenesis represent fundamental milestones during early embryonic development. We analyzed the transcriptional profiles of over 400,000 cells from 14 human samples collected from post-conceptional weeks (PCW) 3 to 12 to delineate the dynamic molecular and cellular landscape of early gastrulation and nervous system development. We described the diversification of cell types, the spatial patterning of neural tube cells, and the signaling pathways likely involved in transforming epiblast cells into neuroepithelial cells and then into radial glia. We resolved 24 clusters of radial glial cells along the neural tube and outlined differentiation trajectories for the main classes of neurons. Lastly, we identified conserved and distinctive features across species by comparing early embryonic single-cell transcriptomic profiles between humans and mice. This comprehensive atlas sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying gastrulation and early human brain development.

Automated summary

This study analyzed over 400,000 cells from 14 human samples to understand the molecular and cellular landscape of early gastrulation and nervous system development. The researchers described the diversification of cell types, spatial patterning of neural tube cells, and the signaling pathways involved in the transformation of cells during early development. They also identified differentiation trajectories for different types of neurons and compared the features between human and mice embryos. This comprehensive atlas provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying gastrulation and early human brain development.