Figure 4.

Modeling intercellular communication between cell states

Ligand–receptor–target gene analysis was carried out with NicheNet.

(A) Top 10 prioritized upstream ligands for cell state signature gene sets.

(B) Ligand target gene networks presented for Vcam1+ SMCs, Col2a1+ SMCs, and Lrg1+ ECs.

(C) Expression of the prioritized ligands by the different cell states and types. Row normalized gene expression (TPM = transcripts per million) is shown.

(D) Schematic of predicted ligand-mediated signaling between Vcam1+ and Col2a1+ SMC states involving autocrine and paracrine signaling.