A Discrete Cell Migration Model
James Nutaro, Kara Kruse, Richard Ward, Elizabeth O’Quinn, Stacy Kirkpatrick, Deidra Mountain and Oscar Grandas
Summer Computer Simulation Conference 2007 (SCSC 2007)
San Diego, California (USA), July 15-18, 2007
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 approximate some elements of the cell migration process. We are developing a mathematical model to describe the Boyden chamber experiments, 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 migrationmodel 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 the three-dimensional hybrid model with results from a one-dimensional continuous model. Some preliminary experimental data that is being used to refine the model is also presented.