Multiphase field model of cells on a substrate: From three dimensional to two dimensional

Area of Science:

• Computational biology
• Biophysics
• Tissue engineering

Background:

• Multiphase field models are valuable for simulating biological tissue at the single-cell level.
• Existing models have limitations in fully exploring their theoretical foundations, especially concerning dimensionality and cell-cell interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To theoretically derive a 2D multiphase field model from a 3D version for studying tissue monolayers.
• To incorporate viscous forces, representing intercellular friction, into the multiphase field model.
• To investigate the impact of intercellular friction on the mechanical properties of tissue monolayers.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical derivation of a 2D multiphase field model from a 3D counterpart.
• Inclusion of viscous forces due to cell-cell friction.
• Numerical simulation of a tissue monolayer using the enhanced model.

Main Results:

• Successful derivation of a 2D model from a 3D version, applicable in the presence of a substrate.
• Quantification of viscous forces arising from intercellular friction.
• Numerical simulations demonstrated that intercellular friction leads to increased tissue solidification.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a more robust theoretical framework for multiphase field models of biological tissues.
• Intercellular friction is identified as a significant factor influencing tissue mechanics, promoting solidification.
• The findings enhance the predictive power of computational models for tissue behavior.