The deformation of an adherent leukocyte under steady shear flow: a numerical study

Leukocyte adhesion is a pathophysiological process in which the balance between hemodynamic and adhesion forces (molecular bonds) plays a key role. In this work, we studied the deformation of an adherent leukocyte and calculated the forces exerted on it. Three model cells were proposed, considering the leukocyte as a single drop, a compound drop, and a nucleus drop, representing a cell without nucleus, a cell with a nucleus, and a nucleus only, respectively. These model cells were supposedly adherent to a smooth substrate under steady shear flow. Our numerical results showed that all three model cells deformed in function of the initial contact angle, capillary number, and Reynolds number. The single drop was the most deformable, while the nucleus drop was the most resistant to the external flow. Each of the model cells showed maximum cell deformation at a high Reynolds number. The distribution of pressure on the cell confirmed the existence of a high-pressure region downstream of the drop, which retarded further deformation of the cell and provided a positive lift force on the drop. The consideration of a highly viscous nucleus can correct the over evaluation of the cell deformation in a flow.