Non-reciprocal interactions reshape cells in a model for symbiosis

TL;DR

This paper presents a coarse-grained model of non-reciprocal cell interactions that reveals how asymmetric forces can lead to diverse and dynamic cell morphologies during symbiosis.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model capturing non-reciprocal interactions and demonstrates their role in generating complex cell shapes not seen in reciprocal systems.

Findings

Cell membranes can form branched protrusions and invaginations.

Non-reciprocal interactions lead to unique dynamical phases.

Morphologies depend on interaction asymmetry and activity levels.

Abstract

The shape of a cell influences and it is influenced by interactions with its neighbouring partners. Here, we introduce a coarse-grained model of non-reciprocal interactions between single-cell organisms to study emergent morphologies during symbiotic association. We show that the cell membrane can be remodelled into branched protrusions, invaginations, transient blebs and other dynamical phases that depend on the number of interacting partners, the asymmetry, and the magnitude of partnership activity. Our model finds a dynamical feedback between the local deformation of the membrane and its driving force, leading to morphologies not accessible to reciprocal systems.