{
  "abstract": "During human gastrulation, mesoderm progenitors migrate while acquiring distinct identities. Whether this movement contributes to subsequent patterning remains unclear. Here, we identify the apelin receptor (APLNR) as a regulator of directed migration of mesoderm in human gastruloids. TBXT+ cells ingress basally and disperse from the PS-like region toward epiblast-like cells. Tracking reveals that this dispersal reflects a directional bias rather than increased speed. APLNR is enriched in nascent mesoderm, while its ligand APELA is expressed in adjacent epithelial cells. Control gastruloids exhibit fourfold greater dispersal than APLNR-depleted gastruloids despite modest speed differences, consistent with a model of chemotaxis by an epithelial ligand field. Paraxial and lateral mesoderm differentiation competence is preserved following APLNR depletion, while signaling programs and central FOXC2+ paraxial organization are altered. These findings support a role for APLNR-dependent guidance in positioning competent mesoderm progenitors for subsequent patterning.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Chicago"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "A. B. Johnson"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Seetharaman"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. M. Plum"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Yao"
    },
    {
      "name": "Z. Yu"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Serra"
    },
    {
      "name": "I. Heemskerk"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "M. Gardel"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/461ncfng2j6z4.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.19.760207",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.19.760207v1.full",
  "id": "461ncfng2j6z4",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.19.760207v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "developmental biology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223038679",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.19.760207v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-19",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/461ncfng2j6z4.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:28:45Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.19.760207",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.19.760207v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:developmental biology",
      "subfield": "developmental-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "APLNR regulates directed migration to spatially pattern mesoderm in human gastruloids",
  "title_text": "APLNR regulates directed migration to spatially pattern mesoderm in human gastruloids",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:28:45Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/461ncfng2j6z4",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}