Coherent modelling switch between pointwise and distributed representations of cell aggregates
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- 作者：A. Colombi ; M. Scianna ; L. Preziosi
- 关键词：Multiscale modeling ; Hybrid systems ; Cell differentiation ; Cell phenotypic transition ; Multiscale dynamics
- 刊名：Journal of Mathematical Biology
- 出版年：2017
- 出版时间：March 2017
- 年：2017
- 卷：74
- 期：4
- 页码：783-808
- 全文大小：
- 刊物类别：Mathematics and Statistics
- 刊物主题：Mathematical and Computational Biology; Applications of Mathematics;
- 出版者：Springer Berlin Heidelberg
- ISSN：1432-1416
- 卷排序：74
文摘
Biological systems are typically formed by different cell phenotypes, characterized by specific biophysical properties and behaviors. Moreover, cells are able to undergo differentiation or phenotypic transitions upon internal or external stimuli. In order to take these phenomena into account, we here propose a modelling framework in which cells can be described either as pointwise/concentrated particles or as distributed masses, according to their biological determinants. A set of suitable rules then defines a coherent procedure to switch between the two mathematical representations. The theoretical environment describing cell transition is then enriched by including cell migratory dynamics and duplication/apoptotic processes, as well as the kinetics of selected diffusing chemicals influencing the system evolution. Finally, biologically relevant numerical realizations are presented: in particular, they deal with the growth of a tumor spheroid and with the initial differentiation stages of the formation of the zebrafish posterior lateral line. Both phenomena mainly rely on cell phenotypic transition and differentiated behaviour, thereby constituting biological systems particularly suitable to assess the advantages of the proposed model.