Work

Pathway-centric visualization of cell-cell communication in single-cell transcriptomics data

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Single-nuclei transcriptomics enables investigating ligand-receptor mediated cell-cell communication between different cell-types. However, current tools do not allow for non-programmatic means to access this analysis. Additionally, most methods can not account for molecular pathways involved in downstream receptor signaling in cell-cell communication. We developed scVizComm, a ShinyApp based web-portal that can be used to interactively visualize ligand-receptor networks across cell-types and different conditions. scVizComm can be used to host pathway centric pre-calculated cell-cell communication results. Using human kidney and heart single-nuclei transcriptomics data, we showcase the utility of scVizComm in understanding ligand-receptor interactions involved in fibrosis related pathways. Additionally using mouse anterior brain data, we demonstrate the major ligand-receptor expression exploration in space. scVizComm allows interactive visualization and pathway centric prioritization of cell-cell communication analyses.

Source: npj Systems Biology and Applications

DOI: 10.1038/s41540-026-00768-2

Authors: Sidrah Maryam, Martin Manolov, Rafael Kramann, Sikander Hayat

Institutions: Universitätsklinikum Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Language: English

Topic: Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,490

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft