Impact of changing cell-cell communication network in models of epithelial pattern formation

Varela, Pedro L.; Monteiro, Pedro T.; Chaouiya, Claudine

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.7/937

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Authors

Varela, Pedro L.

Monteiro, Pedro T.

Chaouiya, Claudine

Abstract(s)

When modelling multi-cellular systems, one has to account for cell-cell signalling in addition to the molecular networks driving cell behaviours. Here, we aim at exploring how the topology of the cell-cell communication network impacts the behaviour of the whole multicellular system. More precisely, we focus on epithelial pattern formation, on which our question can be rephrased in terms of cell sizes and shapes. Relying on a logical modelling framework, and using a simple lateral inhibition model over a population of epithelial cells, we assess the model behaviours considering a variety of communication networks. This study suggests that reasonable deviations from a fixed grid (with regular hexagonal shaped cells) do not change much the resulting patterns. We further explore the impact of cell shapes and show that characteristics such as network regularity and number of shared neighbours of contacting cells are relevant to qualify such deviations.

Keywords

Boolean modelling, Signalling networks, Multi-cellular biological systems, Lateral-inhibition, Pattern generation, Communication networks, Finite automata

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.7/937

Citation

P. L.Varela, P.T.Monteiro, C. Chaouiya, Impact of changing cell-cell communication network in models of epithelial pattern formation, IFAC-PapersOnLine ,Volume 52, Issue 26, Pages 38-44, 2019