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Simultaneous Study of the Recruitment of Monocyte Subpopulations Under Flow In Vitro
Published on: November 26, 2018
Application of multiphase computational fluid dynamics to analyze monocyte adhesion.
Robert W Lyczkowski1, B Rita Alevriadou, Marc Horner
1Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439-4815, USA. rlyczkowski@anl.gov
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|June 13, 2009
Summary
This study introduces a novel multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model coupled with a population balance adhesion model to accurately predict monocyte adhesion in atherosclerosis. The model improves upon single-phase CFD by accounting for cell migration and WSS interactions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Cellular Adhesion Mechanisms
Background:
- Monocyte adhesion initiates atherosclerotic lesions, but traditional CFD models struggle to correlate adhesion with wall shear stress (WSS) due to neglecting particulate migration.
- Existing models fail to capture the complex dynamics of cell behavior near vessel walls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the first computational analysis of in vitro monocyte adhesion data using a coupled multiphase CFD-population balance adhesion model.
- To improve the understanding of monocyte migration and adhesion mechanisms in the context of atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Developed a coupled multiphase CFD-population balance adhesion model incorporating non-Newtonian hemodynamics.
- Modeled U937 monocyte-like human cell adhesion to an E-selectin-coated surface with stenosis and expansion.
- Incorporated ligand-receptor binding, cell transport, and WSS detachment threshold into a monolayer population balance model.
Main Results:
- The coupled model successfully computed spatial distributions of freely flowing monocytes and WSS.
- Simultaneously predicted spatial variations in monocyte number density and carrier fluid WSS adjacent to ligand-coated surfaces.
- Model parameters were determined and interpreted for experimental datasets at Reynolds numbers 100 and 140.
Conclusions:
- The coupled multiphase CFD adhesion model offers a more accurate approach to studying monocyte adhesion than single-phase models.
- This new paradigm enhances the prediction of cellular adhesion dynamics relevant to atherosclerotic lesion development.
- The model provides a robust framework for analyzing in vitro cell adhesion data and interpreting experimental findings.
