System-level regulation of hierarchical transitions in a tumour lineage

The fundamental principles defining how cell state transitions are regulated along a tumour lineage to determine its cellular composition remain unclear. Here, we investigate how such transitions are controlled in a reductionist hierarchical brain tumour model. Quantitative analysis of 3D transition maps revealed that the differentiation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) into transit amplifying progenitors (TAPs) depends on the identity of their immediate neighbours. This is embodied in a transition rule that quantitatively predicts the probability to differentiate as a function of the proportion of TAP neighbours. Integrated into 3D simulations of tumour growth, this rule spontaneously recapitulates spatial segregation of CSCs in clusters and their stable proportion. We further show in vivo that CSC clustering protects the CSC pool from depletion driven by TAPs. We identify an EGFR-mediated relay mechanism that propagates the CSC-to-TAP transition across CSC clusters. In CSCs, the LRIG1-like EGFR inhibitor Kekkon1 dampens this propagation, ensuring continuous replenishment of the CSC pool. Collectively, these findings show how local fate regulation drives emergent segregation which in turn constrains CSC differentiation dynamics. This provides a conceptual framework to understand and exploit the tumour’s intrinsic differentiation potential by manipulating the determinants of its system-level features. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Turing Centre for Living Systems (CENTURI) La Ligue Contre le Cancer, https://ror.org/00rkrv905, Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2025 Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, ANR-24-EXCI-0001, ANR-24-EXCI-0002, ANR-24-EXCI-0003, ANR-24-EXCI-0004, ANR-24-EXCI-0005 Agence Nationale de la Recherche under the France 2030 program, ANR-24-EXCI-0001, ANR-24-EXCI-0002, ANR-24-EXCI-0003, ANR-24-EXCI-0004, ANR-24-EXCI-0005 Centre South-ROCK, INCa-Cancer_18695

biorxiv.org

Sham Tlili, winner of the CNRS 2025 bronze medal - IBDM | Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille

A distinction that rewards a promising and already fruitful scientific career.

ibdm.univ-amu.fr

Single-cell morphometrics reveals T-box gene-dependent patterns of epithelial tension in the Second Heart field

Nature Communications - The embryonic heart tube undergoes elongation via the addition of progenitors from the second heart field, though how epithelial mechanics and genetics interact during this...

rdcu.be

Mechanics of Drosophila wing deployment

Nature Communications - Upon emerging from their pupal case, insects swiftly deploy their wings from a compact origami-like structure to a fully extended blade. Here, authors use a combination of...

rdcu.be