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A mechanobiological model to study upstream cell migration guided by tensotaxis
Gabriel Santos Rosalem1, Estevam Barbosa Las Casas2, Thiago Parente Lima3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology
|February 2, 2020
Summary
Mechanical factors from interstitial flow can drive upstream cell migration, crucial for processes like wound healing and tumor metastasis. This study models cell migration in porous media, revealing key parameter influences.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Mechanobiology
Background:
- Cell migration is vital for wound healing and tumor metastasis, influenced by the cellular microenvironment.
- Interstitial flow (IF) exerts mechanical stimuli on cells, affecting their behavior and extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions.
- Upstream migration is a phenomenon observed in some tumors, suggesting complex migratory mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if mechanical factors alone can generate upstream cell migration.
- To explore the influence of interstitial flow (IF) on cell and ECM behavior.
- To develop and utilize a mechanobiological model for studying adherent cell migration in porous media.
Main Methods:
- Developed a mechanobiological model based on coupled nonlinear differential equations.
- Employed the finite element method for solving the model equations.
- Conducted simulations to analyze upstream cell migration under varying conditions.
Main Results:
- Confirmed that mechanical stimuli from IF can induce upstream cell migration.
- Demonstrated that parameters like pressure, permeability, ECM stiffness, and cellular concentration influence cell velocity.
- Identified pressure and permeability as particularly impactful on cellular velocity.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical forces generated by interstitial flow are sufficient to drive upstream cell migration.
- The developed model provides insights into the mechanobiology of cell migration in porous environments.
- Understanding these mechanisms can inform strategies for wound healing and cancer therapy.
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