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Mammal

Control of Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg cells differentiation

Summary: 

Alternative cell differentiation pathways are believed to arise from the concerted action of signalling pathways and transcriptional regulatory networks. However, the prediction of mammalian cell differentiation from the knowledge of the presence of specific signals and transcriptional factors is still a daunting challenge. In this respect, the vertebrate hematopoietic system, with its many branching differentiation pathways and cell types, is a compelling case study.

In [1], it is proposed an integrated, comprehensive model of the regulatory network and signalling pathways controlling Th cell differentiation. As most available data are qualitative, it is relied on a logical formalism to perform extensive dynamical analyses. To cope with the size and complexity of the resulting network, it is used an original model reduction approach [2], together with a stable state identification algorithm [3]. To assess the effects of heterogeneous environments on Th cell differentiation, it is performed a systematic series of simulations, considering various prototypic environments.

Consequently, it is identified stable states corresponding to canonical Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg subtypes, but these were found to coexist with other transient hybrid cell types that co-express combinations of Th1, Th2, Treg and Th17 markers in an environment-dependent fashion. In the process, the logical analysis highlights the nature of these cell types and their relationships with canonical Th subtypes. Finally, this logical model can be used to explore novel differentiation pathways in silico.


References

Curation
Submitter: 
C. Chaouiya

TCR signalisation

Summary: 

Klamt et al. proposed in [1] a Boolean model of the TCR signalling pathway. The model encompasses 40 regulatory components. In this version of the model an auto-regulation has been added on each input.

Analysis

This model has been studied in [2], using novel algorithms for the analysis of feedback circuits and the determination of stable states. The stable state analysis shows seven stable states, listed bellow. Each stable state corresponds to a different input combination, except "111". Indeed, the systems shows an oscilatory behaviour under full activation.


CD45 CD8 TCRlig TCRbind PAGCsk Fyn TCRphos Ikb
0 * 0 0 1 0 0 1
0 * 1 1 0 0 0 1
1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1
1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1

Table 1. 7 stable states of the model. A "*" means "all possible expression levels (i.e. 0 or 1). The expression level of all other variables is 0.

The feedback circuit analysis shows nine circuits, besides the three auto-activation on the inputs. Only one of these circuits is functional: (ZAP70, cCbl). This negative circuit is functional in presence of LCK and TCRphos which can only be maintained in presence of the three inputs. This circuit drives the oscillatory behaviour observed under full activation.


References

Curation
Submitter: 
Claudine Chaouiya

Control of Th1/Th2 cell differentiation

Summary: 

On the basis of an extensive analysis of the literature, L. Mendoza proposed a logical model encompassing the most crucial regulatory components and the cross-interactions involved in these differentiative decisions (see [1]).

This model encompasses 17 regulatory components.


References

Curation
Submitter: 
Claudine Chaouiya

Restriction point control of the mammalian cell cycle

Summary: 

On the basis of a previous modelling study by Novak and Tyson [1] , we have recently proposed a generic Boolean model of the core network controlling the restriction point of the mammalian cell cycle [2].

For proper logical parameter values, the simulation of this Boolean model leads to dynamical behaviours (sequences of activations and inactivations of key regulatory products) in qualitative agreement with current experimental data.

However, as kinetic details are still lacking, many different (in)activation pathways are compatible with existing data, including fully synchronous transition pathways. To further evaluate these different possibilities, we have analysed the asymptotical behaviour of this network under synchronous versus asynchronous updating assumptions. Furthermore, we consider intermediate updating strategies to improve the computation of asymptotical properties depending on available kinetic data. This approach has been implemented through user-defined priority classes in the logical modelling and simulation software GINsim.

Regulatory Graph

The Figure 1 presents the regulatory graph corresponding to our Boolean model of the restriction point control for the mammalian cell cycle. In this graph, each node represents the activity of a key regulatory element, whereas the edges represent functional interactions between these elements. Blunt arrows stand for inhibitory effects, whereas normal arrows stand for activations. Details and justifications can be found in [2].


Figure 1: Regulatory graph

Simulations

Depending on CycD activity at the initial state, our model can lead to two different asymptotical behaviour:

  • In the absence of CycD (representing a lack of growth factors), the system is quickly trapped in a stable state with (only) Rb, p27 and Cdh1 stably activated.
  • In the presence of CycD, the system reaches a unique (multi-)cycle attractor, whose complexity depends on the updating assumption selected.

To illustrate the impact of the updating assumption, we present here the cyclic attractors (terminal, maximal, strongly connected components) corresponding to three different updating assumptions:

    • Synchronous updating: all updating calls are applied simultaneously; as shown in Figure 2-A, the terminal cycle contains 7 states.
    • Asynchronous updating: competing updating calls lead to alternative transitions; as shown in Figure 2-B, the terminal attractor contains 112 states.
    • Mixed a/synchronous updating: the regulatory components are distributed into four different priority classes; as shown in Figure 2-C, the attractor contains 18 states. We have first built two priority classes, which arguably group faster versus slower biochemical processes. In the highest ranked transition priority class, we have included the degradations of E2F, CycE, CycA, Cdc20, UbcH10, CycB, as well as all transitions (in both directions) for CycD, Rb, p27 (Kip1) and Ccdh1. The remaining transitions correspond to synthesis rates (of E2F, CycE, CycA, Cdc20, UbcH10, and CycB) and are grouped in a lower priority class. Using these two priority classes, both considered under the asynchronous assumption, we still obtain a single terminal strongly connected component (not shown) involving 34 states (to compare with 7 in the standard synchronous treatment, versus 112 in the fully asynchronous case without priority). The analysis of this component reveals that some pathways are clearly unrealistic, as they skip the activation of some specific cyclin, for example. To eliminate these spurious pathways, one can further refine the priority classes, taking into account additional information. Here, we can exploit the fact that several transitions are controlled by similar regulatory mechanisms to group them in synchronous classes.
(A) synchronous (B) asynchronous (C) mixed

Figure 2: attractors, depending on the updating policy (Node order in the state labelling: CycD Rb E2F CycE CycA p27Kip1 Cdc20 Cdh1 UbcH10 CycB)

Mutant simulations

Experiment Phenotype Reference Logical rule Simulation Agreement with published results
Rb-/- Viable; cycle in absence of growth factor; lengthening of all phases of the cycle. Bartek et al (1996)
quoted in Novák & Tyson (2004)
Rb=0 cycle both in presence (CycD=1) and in absence (CycD=0) of growth factors. OK.
P27-/- Viable; cycle in absence of growth factor; less serum-dependent. Rivard et al (1996), quoted in Novák & Tyson (2004) p27=0 Cycle in presence of growth factors (CycD=1); cell cycle arrest in absence of growth factors (CycD=0). Disagreement. Additional activity level for Rb would be required.
CycEop Viable; cycle in absence of growth factor; less serum-dependent. Ohtsubo et al (1995), quoted in Novák & Tyson (2004) CycE=1 viable in presence of growth factors (CycD=1); in absence of growth factors, depending on whether p27 is active or not when CycE is activated, the model predicts cell cycle arrest or viability. Questionable. Additional activity level for CycE would be required.
Deregulated expression of E2F (serum starvation) Cycle in absence of growth factor Lukas et al (1996) E2F=1 cell cycle in presence (CycD=1); cell cycle arrest in absence of growth factors (CycD=0). Disagreement. Additional activity level for Rb and/or CycE would be required.
p27 ectopical expression Cell cycle arrest in presence of growth factors. Alevizopoulos et al (1997) p27=1 cell cycle arrest in presence of growth factors (CycD=1). OK.
p27 and CycA ectopical expression Cell cycle arrest in presence of growth factors. Alevizopoulos et al (1997) p27=1 CycA=1 cell cycle arrest in presence of growth factors (CycD=1) OK.
p27 and CycE ectopical expression Cell cycle arrest in presence of growth factors. Alevizopoulos et al (1997) p27=1 CycE=1 cell cycle arrest in presence of growth factors (CycD=1). OK.
p27 and E2F ectopical expression Cell cycle arrest in presence of growth factors. Alevizopoulos et al (1997) p27=1 E2F=1 cell cycle arrest in presence of growth factors (CycD=1). OK.
mycUbcH10 No mitotic checkpoint; S phase delay. Rape & Kirshner (2004) UbcH10=1 G1 arrest. Expected, since the model overlooks backup mechanisms known to exist

References

Curation
Submitter: 
Adrien Fauré (C. Chaouiya)
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