A modelling approach towards epidermal homoeostasis control

Authored by Gernot Schaller, Michael Meyer-Hermann

Date Published: 2007-08-07

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2007.03.023

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: C++

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

In order to grasp the features arising from cellular discreteness and individuality, in large parts of cell tissue modelling agent-based models are favoured. The subclass of off-lattice models allows for a physical motivation of the intercellular interaction rules. We apply an improved version of a previously introduced off-lattice agent-based model to the steady-state flow equilibrium of skin. The dynamics of cells is determined by conservative and drag forces, supplemented with delta-correlated random forces. Cellular adjacency is detected by a weighted Delaunay triangulation. The cell cycle time of keratinocytes is controlled by a diffusible substance provided by the dermis. Its concentration is calculated from a diffusion equation with time-dependent boundary conditions and varying diffusion coefficients. The dynamics of a nutrient is also taken into account by a reaction-diffusion equation. It turns out that the analysed control mechanism suffices to explain several characteristics of epidermal homoeostasis formation. In addition, we examine the question of how in silico melanoma with decreased basal adhesion manage to persist within the steady-state flow equilibrium of the skin. Interestingly, even for melanocyte cell cycle times being substantially shorter than for keratinocytes, tiny stochastic effects can lead to completely different outcomes. The results demonstrate that the understanding of initial states of turnout growth can profit significantly from the application of off-lattice agent-based models in computer simulations. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tags

Melanoma reaction-diffusion equation Delaunay triangulation adjacency detection epidermis