A systems biology approach to identify niche determinants of cellular phenotypes.
Stem Cell Res
; 17(2): 406-412, 2016 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27649532
ABSTRACT
Recent reports indicate a dominant role for cellular microenvironment or niche for stably maintaining cellular phenotypic states. Identification of key niche mediated signaling that maintains stem cells in specific phenotypic states remains a challenge, mainly due to the complex and dynamic nature of stem cell-niche interactions. In order to overcome this, we consider that stem cells maintain their phenotypic state by experiencing a constant effect created by the niche by integrating its signals via signaling pathways. Such a constant niche effect should induce sustained activation/inhibition of specific stem cell signaling pathways that controls the gene regulatory program defining the cellular phenotypic state. Based on this view, we propose a computational approach to identify the most likely receptor mediated signaling responsible for transmitting niche signals to the transcriptional regulatory network that maintain cell-specific gene expression patterns, termed as niche determinants. We demonstrate the utility of our method in different stem cell systems by identifying several known and novel niche determinants. Given the key role of niche in several degenerative diseases, identification of niche determinants can aid in developing strategies for potential applications in regenerative medicine.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Células-Tronco
/
Algoritmos
/
Nicho de Células-Tronco
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Stem Cell Res
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Luxemburgo