Dynamic Relationship between Diversity and Plasticity of Cell types in Multi-cellular State

Abstract

Dynamics maintaining diversity of cell types in a multi-cellular system are studied in relationship with the plasticity of cellular states. First, we introduce a new theoretical framework, reaction-diffusion system on `chemical species space' to model intra-cellular chemical reaction dynamics. Then, by considering the cell division and death of such cells, developmental process from a single cell is studied. Cell differentiation process is found to occur through instability in transient dynamics and cell-cell interaction. In a long time behavior, extinction of multiple cells is repeated, which leads to itinerancy over successive quasi-stable multi-cellular states consisting of different types of cells. By defining the plasticity of a cellular state, it is shown that the plasticity of cells decreases before the large extinction, from which diversity and plasticity are recovered. After this switching, decrease of plasticity again occurs, leading to the next extinction of multiple cells. This cycle is repeated. Relevance of our results to the development, evolution is briefly discussed.