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Updated: Feb 10, 2026
10:37
Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
36.6K
Topography of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity
Francesc Font-Clos1, Stefano Zapperi1,2, Caterina A M La Porta3
1Center for Complexity and Biosystems, Department of Physics, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy.
Summary
This study maps epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, revealing hybrid states between stable cell phenotypes. These findings offer insights into developmental biology, stem cell research, and cancer progression using statistical physics.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cancer Research
- Biophysics
Background:
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) are crucial for development, stem cell reprogramming, and cancer.
- Understanding the intermediate states during EMTs is essential for controlling cell plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a topographic map of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions.
- To elucidate the nature of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypic states.
- To provide a general strategy for representing phenotypic plasticity from gene expression data.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations of a Boolean network model.
- Analysis of bulk and single-cell gene expression data.
- Application of statistical physics methods.
Main Results:
- A topographic map of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions was constructed.
- Multiple metastable hybrid phenotypic states were identified between stable epithelial and mesenchymal states.
- The map's characteristics resemble free energy landscapes in glassy materials.
Conclusions:
- Hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal states represent a spectrum of intermediate cellular phenotypes.
- The developed strategy allows for topographic representation of phenotypic plasticity.
- This approach enhances understanding of cell state transitions in biological processes.
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