Monte-Carlo Simulation of a Multi-Dimensional Switch-Like Model of Stem Cell Differentiation

Abstract: The process controlling the diferentiation of stem, or progenitor, cells into one specific functional direction is called lineage specification. An important characteristic of this process is the multi-lineage priming, which requires the simultaneous expression of lineage-specific genes. Prior to commitment to a certain lineage, it has been observed that these genes exhibit intermediate values of their expression levels. Multi-lineage differentiation has been reported for various progenitor cells, and it has been explained through the bifurcation of a metastable state. During the differentiation process the dynamics of the core regulatory network follows a bifurcation, where the metastable state, corresponding to the progenitor cell, is destabilized and the system is forced to choose between the possible developmental alternatives. While this approach gives a reasonable interpretation of the cell fate decision process, it fails to explain the multi-lineage priming characteristic. Here, we describe a new multi-dimensional switch-like model that captures both the process of cell fate decision and the phenomenon of multi-lineage priming. We show that in the symmetrical interaction case, the system exhibits a new type of degenerate bifurcation, characterized by a critical hyperplane, containing an infinite number of critical steady states. This critical hyperplane may be interpreted as the support for the multi-lineage priming states of the progenitor. Also, the cell fate decision (the multi-stability and switching behavior) can be explained by a symmetry breaking in the parameter space of this critical hyperplane. These analytical results are confirmed by Monte-Carlo simulations of the corresponding chemical master equations.