Decoding cell–cell communication in spatial transcriptomics: mechanistic insights, modeling constraints, and analytical caveats
Abstract Cell–cell communication (CCC) is essential for maintaining tissue organization and driving biological progression, yet its inference from transcriptomic data has long been limited by the absence of spatial context. Advances in spatial transcriptomics (ST) now enable mechanistically grounded analyses of CCC by preserving the physical organization of cells and their microenvironments. In this review, we examine recent methodological developments in CCC inference from ST data, focusing on how statistical, optimal transport, and deep learning frameworks incorporate spatial information to model ligand–receptor (LR) interactions and downstream signaling. We also summarize key mechanism-driven components shared across spatial and non-spatial CCC approaches. In addition, we discuss how tissue heterogeneity and spatial architecture can introduce context-dependent biases, particularly for permutation-based inference, and outline mechanistic considerations such as LR biochemistry, signal transduction, and condition-specific communication. We further highlight databases that curate intercellular conduction and intracellular signaling processes. By integrating spatial constraints with biochemical and computational principles, this review offers an integrated assessment of the opportunities and limitations of current approaches. We conclude by identifying key methodological challenges and future directions for developing robust, scalable, and mechanistically interpretable CCC inference as ST technologies continue to advance.