Cell-cell interaction and diversity of emergent behaviours

Despite myriads of possible gene expression profiles, cells tend to be found a in a confined number of expression patterns. The dynamics of Boolean models of gene regulatory networks has proven to be a likely candidate for the description of such self-organization phenomena. Since cells do not leave in iso- lation, but they constantly shape their functions in order to adapt to signals from other cells, this raises the question of whether the cooperation among cells en- tails en expansion or a reduction of their possible steady states. Multi Random Boolean Networks (MRBNs) are here introduced as a model for the interaction among cells suitable for the investigation of some generic properties regarding the influence of communication on the diversity of cell behaviours. In spite of its simplicity, the model exhibits a not obvious phenomenon according to which a moderate exchange of products among adjacent cells would foster the spectra of their possible behaviours, which on the other hand would be more similar to one another. On the contrary, a more invasive coupling would lead cells towards homogeneity.