Cellular Dialogues: Cell-Cell Communication through Diffusible Molecules Yields Dynamic Spatial Patterns.

Area of Science:

• Systems biology
• Computational biology
• Developmental biology

Background:

• Cells coordinate gene expression to form spatial patterns.
• Self-organization of dynamic spatial patterns in cell groups without pre-existing gradients is poorly understood.
• Spiral waves are important dynamic patterns transmitting information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand how cell groups self-organize dynamic spatial patterns.
• To identify all possible communication mechanisms (cellular dialogues) using two diffusing molecules that generate diverse dynamic spatial patterns.
• To elucidate the underlying process of dynamic pattern formation.

Main Methods:

• Development of open-source simulation software for cell fields communicating via secreted molecules.
• Theoretical analysis of cellular communication with two diffusing molecules.
• Simulation of cell behavior including varying responses, gene-expression noise, spatial arrangements, and cell movement.

Main Results:

• Identification of all possible "cellular dialogues" using two diffusing molecules that yield diverse dynamic spatial patterns.
• Demonstration that dynamic patterns emerge robustly despite variations in cell responses, noise, and arrangement.
• Characterization of a three-stage "order-fluctuate-settle" process involving wavelets and whirlpools leading to pattern formation.

Conclusions:

• The study identifies fundamental cellular communication strategies for self-organizing dynamic spatial patterns.
• A novel simulation framework facilitates the study of emergent pattern formation in cellular systems.
• Findings provide a basis for identifying gene-regulatory networks responsible for dynamic pattern formation in biological systems.