A multiscale model of early cell lineage specification including cell division

Abstract

Author summary The early development of the mammalian embryo involves cell divisions and highly regulated lineage specification events. Cell fates are determined by gene regulatory networks exhibiting multiple steady states. The question arises as to how these networks interact with extracellular signalling, cell division and cell movement. Here, we investigate this question in the context of establishment of the salt-and-pepper pattern of epiblast (Epi) and primitive endoderm (PrE) cells within the inner cell mass (ICM) of the preimplantation embryo in the mouse, using a multi-scale computational model. The three cell fates correspond to three stable steady states of the gene regulatory network, which coexist in the salt-and-pepper pattern. The specification process is self-regulated through extracellular signalling and is robust towards cell division and cell movement.