Multimodal perception links cellular state to decision-making in single cells

Individual cells make decisions that are adapted to their internal state and surroundings, but how cells can reliably do this remains unclear. To study the information processing capacity of human cells, we conducted multiplexed quantification of signaling responses and markers of the cellular state. Signaling nodes in a network displayed adaptive information processing, which led to heterogeneous growth factor responses and enabled nodes to capture partially nonredundant information about the cellular state. Collectively, as a multimodal percept this gives individual cells a large information processing capacity to accurately place growth factor concentration within the context of their cellular state and make cellular state- dependent decisions. Heterogeneity and complexity in signaling networks may have coevolved to enable specific and context-aware cellular decision- making in a multicellular setting.

Automated summary

Individual cells can make decisions based on their internal state and surroundings, but it is still unclear how they can do this reliably. To investigate the information processing capacity of human cells, the researchers conducted a study on signaling responses and cellular state markers. The results showed that signaling nodes in the network displayed adaptive information processing, leading to heterogeneous growth factor responses and enabling cells to capture partially nonredundant information about their state. This demonstrates that individual cells have a large information processing capacity to accurately interpret growth factor concentration in the context of their cellular state and make decisions accordingly. The heterogeneity and complexity in signaling networks may have coevolved to facilitate specific and context-aware decision-making in multicellular settings.