A discrete cell migration model

  • Authors:

  • James Nutaro;Kara Kruse;Richard Ward;Elizabeth O'Quinn;Matthew Woerner;Barbara Beckerman;Stacy Kirkpatrick;Deidra Mountain;Oscar Grandas

  • Affiliations:

  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee;Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee;Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee;Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee;Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee;Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee;University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee;University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee;University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 2007 Summer Computer Simulation Conference
  • Year:
  • 2007

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Abstract

Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells is a fundamental process in the development of intimal hyperplasia, a precursor to development of cardiovascular disease and a potential response to injury of an arterial wall. Boyden chamber experiments are used to quantify the motion of cell populations in response to a chemoattractant gradient (i.e., cell chemotaxis). We are developing a mathematical model of cell migration within the Boyden chamber, while simultaneously conducting experiments to obtain parameter values for the migration process. In the future, the model and parameters will be used as building blocks for a detailed model of the process that causes intimal hyperplasia. The cell migration model presented in this paper is based on the notion of a cell as a moving sensor that responds to an evolving chemoattractant gradient. We compare the results of our three-dimensional hybrid model with results from a one-dimensional continuum model. Some preliminary experimental data that is being used to refine the model is also presented.