Long-term applicability of short-term multicellular memory and reinforcement

Determine whether the short-term memory and reinforcement mechanisms observed during cyclic perturbations in multicellular information networks of endothelial, neuronal, and endocrine cell systems translate to long-term tissue adaptations such as cardiac remodeling, fibrosis, and sustained immune responses.

Background

The article synthesizes evidence from endothelial, neuronal, and endocrine multicellular systems showing coordinated transitions from local to global organization via memory and reinforcement mechanisms. These dynamics involve the emergence of first-responder or hub cells and an increase in intercellular dependencies over cyclic stimuli.

While these mechanisms have been documented in short-term, cyclic perturbations, the authors explicitly note that it is not established whether analogous processes operate over longer timescales relevant to tissue remodeling and chronic physiological states, such as cardiac remodeling, fibrosis, or sustained immune responses.