Pathway-Centric Visualization of Cell-Cell Communication in Single-Cell Transcriptomics Data

Abstract

ObjectiveSingle-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. MethodsWe developed scVizComm, a ShinyApp based web-portal that can be used to interactively visualize ligand-receptor networks across cell-types and different conditions. ResultsscVizComm 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. ConclusionscVizComm allows interactive visualisation and pathway centric prioritisation of cell-cell communication analyses.