Open Access

ARTICLE

Computational Investigation of Cell Migration Behavior in a Confluent Epithelial Monolayer

by Jie Bai, Xiaowei Zeng^*

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, 78249, USA

* Corresponding Author: Xiaowei Zeng. Email:

Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences 2022, 131(2), 551-565. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmes.2022.019376

Received 20 September 2021; Accepted 18 November 2021; Issue published 14 March 2022

Abstract

Cell migration plays a significant role in many biological activities, yet the physical mechanisms of cell migration are still not well understood. In this study, a continuum physics-based epithelial monolayer model including the intercellular interaction was employed to study the cell migration behavior in a confluent epithelial monolayer at constant cell density. The epithelial cell was modeled as isotropic elastic material. Through finite element simulation, the results revealed that the motile cell was subjected to higher stress than the other jammed cells during the migration process. Cell stiffness was implied to play a significant role in epithelial cell migration behavior. Higher stiffness results in smaller displacement and lower migration speed.

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Keywords

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