Quantifying Cell-State Densities in Single-Cell Phenotypic Landscapes using Mellon.

ABSTRACT: Cell-state density characterizes the distribution of cells along phenotypic landscapes and is crucial for unraveling the mechanisms that drive cellular differentiation, regeneration, and disease. Here, we present Mellon, a novel computational algorithm for high-resolution estimation of cell-state densities from single-cell data. We demonstrate Mellon's efficacy by dissecting the density landscape of various differentiating systems, revealing a consistent pattern of high-density regions corresponding to major cell types intertwined with low-density, rare transitory states. Utilizing hematopoietic stem cell fate specification to B-cells as a case study, we present evidence implicating enhancer priming and the activation of master regulators in the emergence of these transitory states. Mellon

SUBMITTER: Otto D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10369887 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature