Mechanical modeling of collective cell migration: An agent-based and continuum material approach
Authored by Ismael Gonzalez-Valverde, Garcia-Aznar Jose Manuel
Date Published: 2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.cma.2018.03.036
Sponsors:
Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN)
European Research Council (ERC)
Platforms:
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Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Mathematical description
Model Code URLs:
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Abstract
We develop a novel modeling approach that combines a discrete
agent-based model and a continuum material model to simulate collective
cell migration in epithelial layers. In this approach, cells are
represented as particles located at their geometrical center, but also
as a polygonal body derived from the Voronoi diagram. Furthermore, we
model the tissue as a continuum medium with different spatial domains
that represent cell and substrate materials. In fact, the mechanical
behavior of each domain is affected by the presence of cells from the
discrete model. Moreover, we solve this mechanical problem using the
finite element method (FEM). The forces generated by cells are projected
to the FE mesh, that is created dynamically during the simulation from
the discrete cell representation. After the FE resolution, we use the
mesh displacements to determine the new cell positions in the
agent-based model. Finally, to demonstrate the potential of this
approach to model epithelial tissue mechanics, we simulate two
well-studied cases of collective cell migration: durotaxis and gap
closure. We use the experimental data from the literature to validate
our numerical results. Therefore, the modeling strategy here presented
offers a new perspective for a deeper understanding of tissue mechanics
that emerge from cell dynamics in epithelial layers. (C) 2018 Elsevier
B. V. All rights reserved.
Tags
emergence
Agent-Based
Simulations
finite element method
Monolayers
durotaxis
Density
Forces
Cell mechanics
Particle modeling
Gap closure
Epithelial tissues
Rigidity