A draft network of ligand–receptor-mediated multicellular signalling in human

Cell-to-cell communication across multiple cell types and tissues strictly governs proper functioning of metazoans and extensively relies on interactions between secreted ligands and cell-surface receptors. Herein, we present the first large-scale map of cell-to-cell communication between 144 human primary cell types. We reveal that most cells express tens to hundreds of ligands and receptors to create a highly connected signalling network through multiple ligand-receptor paths. We also observe extensive autocrine signalling with approximately two-thirds of partners possibly interacting on the same cell type. We find that plasma membrane and secreted proteins have the highest cell-type specificity, they are…

• CC
  Conquer Cancer Foundation
• AV
  Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung
• MO
  Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: GM095315
• R
  RIKEN