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Simulation of angiogenesis, remodeling and pruning in microvascular networks: Control of branching angles
Author(s) -
Secomb Timothy W.,
Alberding Jonathan P.,
Hsu Richard,
Pries Axel R.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.925.7
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , coalescence (physics) , mechanics , branching (polymer chemistry) , sprouting angiogenesis , ramification , microcirculation , anatomy , geometry , physics , materials science , mathematics , biology , neovascularization , composite material , medicine , radiology , cancer research , combinatorics , astrobiology
In the microcirculation, angiogenesis, remodeling and pruning redistribute flow in response to varying demands. Here, a previously developed theoretical simulation of these processes, based on local vascular responses to pressure, shear stress, oxygen partial pressure and growth factor concentration, is extended to include effects of axial tension in vessel segments. The network is represented as a large number of short segments in two dimensions, connected at nodal points. The total tension in each segment is assumed to be proportional to the vessel circumference. Each nodal point is assumed to migrate through the surrounding tissue at a rate proportional to the resultant force generated by the vector sum of the axial tensions acting at that point. In the simulations, most bifurcations initially have a ‘T’ shape, resulting from sprouting angiogenesis from an existing segment or from coalescence of a sprout with an existing segment. However, the effect of tension‐induced migration is to convert these to a ‘Y’ shape. The resulting distribution of branching angles is similar to that observed in mesenteric microvascular networks of the rat. Supported by NIH HL034555.