Cell differentiation can underpin the reproducibility of morphogenesis

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Computational Biology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Morphogenesis, the process of developing complex body shapes, is remarkably reproducible despite inherent biological noise.
• The underlying mechanisms coordinating multiple morphogenetic processes to achieve this reproducibility are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how reproducibility in morphogenesis is achieved through the evolution of complex morphologies.
• To explore the role of cell behaviors and differentiation in generating reproducible developmental outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a multi-scale computational model based on the Cellular Potts Model framework.
• Evolved complex morphologies by simulating cell populations with genomes encoding gene regulatory networks and cell behaviors under selection for shape complexity.
• Analyzed simulation outcomes for reproducibility across different initial conditions.

Main Results:

• Evolved complex morphologies demonstrated significant reproducibility, even without direct selection for it.
• High reproducibility was linked to spatial segregation of mobile "shaping" cells and stationary "maintaining" cells.
• Reproducible morphologies frequently evolved cell differentiation, with progenitor cells differentiating into stationary cells at boundaries.

Conclusions:

• Cell differentiation plays a crucial role in ensuring reproducible morphogenesis, beyond its known function in producing specialized cell types.
• This finding offers new insights into the fundamental mechanisms of morphological generation and regeneration in biological systems.