Evolution of phenotypic plasticity leads to tumor heterogeneity with implications for therapy
Fig 3
Phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity emergence.
Example realizations (A-F) and ensemble averages (G-L) for three parameter sets. Evolution of cell density profiles (A-C) and local switch parameter (D-F). (G-I) Distribution of proliferating (blue) and migrating (orange) cells at the endpoint. (J-L) Switch parameter κ distribution at the endpoint. Shaded regions represent one standard deviation. Negligible cell death (first column) results in attractive type cells (κ > 0) around the initial lattice node at x = L/2, with migrating phenotype cells outgrowing due to quick spread across the lattice (regime 1, Fig 4). High cell death and low switch threshold (second column) lead to predominantly proliferative phenotypes with attractive-type cells (κ > 0) dominating the tumor bulk and repulsive-type cells (κ < 0) invading the edge (regime 2, Fig 4). High cell death and high switch threshold (third column) result in a majority of proliferative cells but with a significant fraction of migrating cells throughout the tumor. Repulsive-type cells dominate the tumor, and weaker phenotype switch cells (κ ≈ 0) are more likely at the tumor edge (regime 3, Fig 4).