Modeling The Migration And Proliferation Of Endothelial Cells with Changing
Shape and Size
Aparna Ambani (1), K. Zygourakis (2) and P. Markenscoff (1)
1 Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Houston.
2 Dept. of Bioengineeringand Chemical Engineering
Rice University, Houston, TX.
ABSTRACT
Due to the multitude of parameters affecting the dynamics of cellular systems,
the development of engineered tissues will be greatly facilitated by mathematical
models that can predict cellular movement and tissue growth. This study focuses
on analyzing the opposing effects of contact inhibition and migration on the proliferation
rates of endothelial cells (EC). A new model based on the concept of cellular
automata is developed to accurately describe the dynamics of migrating and proliferating
EC. Each EC can now occupy several adjacent sites on the computational grid and
its shape varies with time as the cell changes directions, collides with other
cells and divides. Changes in the direction of cell movement (caused by cell-cell
collisions or intracellular events) involve the formation of a leading lamella
pointing in the new direction. The new model is a significant extension of earlier
models developed by our group. Simulation results show that cell proliferation
rates are significantly affected by the speed of locomotion, the persistence of
cell movement and the elongation of migrating cells. Also, the cell shape and
cell density affect the population-average speed of migration. Model predictions
agree well with the results of cell growth experiments.
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