Mechanobiological model of arterial growth and remodeling

Authored by Heather N Hayenga, Maziyar Keshavarzian, Clark A Meyer

Date Published: 2018

DOI: 10.1007/s10237-017-0946-y

Sponsors: American Heart Association

Platforms: Repast Java

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

A coupled agent-based model (ABM) and finite element analysis (FEA) computational framework is developed to study the interplay of bio-chemo-mechanical factors in blood vessels and their role in maintaining homeostasis. The agent-based model implements the power of REPAST Simphony libraries and adapts its environment for biological simulations. Coupling a continuum-level model (FEA) to a cellular-level model (ABM) has enabled this computational framework to capture the response of blood vessels to increased or decreased levels of growth factors, proteases and other signaling molecules (on the micro scale) as well as altered blood pressure. Performance of the model is assessed by simulating porcine left anterior descending artery under normotensive conditions and transient increases in blood pressure and by analyzing sensitivity of the model to variations in the rule parameters of the ABM. These simulations proved that the model is stable under normotensive conditions and can recover from transient increases in blood pressure. Sensitivity studies revealed that the model is most sensitive to variations in the concentration of growth factors that affect cellular proliferation and regulate extracellular matrix composition (mainly collagen).

Tags

agent-based simulation Agent-based modeling Multiscale modeling Gene-expression Endothelial-cells Mechanical-properties Shear-stress Finite element analysis Coronary artery Smooth-muscle-cells Skin fibroblast collagenase Porcine coronary-arteries Metalloproteinase mmp 2 Adventitial fibroblasts