The molecular mechanisms and their omic studies in the endoderm-lineage differentiation of embryonic stem cells

The embryonic stem cells (ESC) can be differentiated into three germ layers, known as endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. Endoderm, which generates terminally differentiated cells, lays the foundation for generating the respiratory and digestive systems as well as the functional organs such as liver and pancreas. The differentiation of ESC into endoderm includes four main stages: the differentiation into epiblast, the formation of primitive streak, the separation of endoderm and mesoderm, the eventual formation of definitive endoderm (DE). The molecular mechanisms of endoderm-lineage differentiation of ESC are summarized in this review. We mainly focus on the key signaling pathways, transcription factors, epigenetic regulation mechanisms in the four processes. The progress of the multi-omic studies of these mechanisms are highlighted. This review may provide important referenced information for the researchers in this field.