SummaryReversible transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal cell states are a crucial form of epithelial plasticity for development and disease progression. Recent experimental data and mechanistic models showed multiple intermediate epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) states as well as trajectories of EMT underpinned by complex gene regulatory networks. In this review, we summarize recent progress in quantifying EMT and characterizing EMT paths with computational methods and quantitative experiments including omics‐level measurements. We provide perspectives on how these studies can help relating fundamental cell biology to physiological and pathological outcomes of EMT.

中文翻译：

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数据和理论驱动的方法来理解上皮间质转化的路径

摘要上皮细胞和间充质细胞状态之间的可逆转变是上皮可塑性对于发育和疾病进展的重要形式。最近的实验数据和机制模型显示了多种中间上皮-间质转化（EMT）状态以及由复杂的基因调控网络支撑的 EMT 轨迹。在这篇综述中，我们总结了通过计算方法和定量实验（包括组学水平测量）量化 EMT 和表征 EMT 路径的最新进展。我们提供关于这些研究如何帮助将基础细胞生物学与 EMT 的生理和病理结果联系起来的观点。