Brain Interactome Explorer

Brain Interactome Explorer maps cell–cell communication networks in the developing mouse brain by combining transcriptional analysis of EMBRACE (embryonic brain cell extraction using FACS)-isolated neural, mural, endothelial, and microglial cells with in silico ligand–receptor prediction.

Key Features:

• EMBRACE isolation: EMBRACE (embryonic brain cell extraction using FACS) isolates neural, mural, endothelial, and microglial cells with over 94% purity in approximately four hours.
• Cell types and stage: Maps interactions among neural, mural, endothelial, and microglial cells in the developing mouse brain at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5).
• Interaction catalog: Identifies and catalogs 1,710 unique ligand–receptor interactions among the specified cell types.
• Validated interactions: Includes experimental validation of interactions such as APOE-LDLR, APOE-LRP1, VTN-KDR, and LAMA4-ITGB1.
• Analytical approach: Constructs interaction maps using transcriptional analysis of isolated cells combined with in silico ligand–receptor prediction.

Scientific Applications:

• Developmental neurobiology: Analyze cell–cell signaling dynamics during brain development at E14.5.
• Interaction discovery and prioritization: Identify and prioritize candidate ligand–receptor pairs for experimental follow-up.
• Cell-type-specific signaling analysis: Characterize communication patterns among neural, mural, endothelial, and microglial populations.

Methodology:

Performs transcriptional analysis of EMBRACE-isolated cells and in silico ligand–receptor prediction.