Development of Mechanical Model of Tissue Morphogenesis Caused by Cell Proliferation

Abstract

Biological tissue composed of numerous cells has a variety of structures closely related to its mechanical functions. The tissue structures are determined through cellular dynamics, which is affected by stage-dependent mechanical and biochemical environment during morphogenesis. Towards understanding the mechanism of physiological tissue morphogenesis, in this study, we aimed to develop a mechanical model of tissue morphogenesis caused by cellular dynamics depending on the environment. To explicitly express cellular activities, including hypertrophy and proliferation, we extended the material point method (MPM), which is the simulation method based on continuum mechanics using particles for discretization. By performing the MPM-based simulation of tissue morphogenesis, we successfully expressed tissue deformation induced by hypertrophy and proliferation of the composed cells. Further extension of this mechanical model is expected to enable prediction of the change of tissue structures and functions in response to the surrounding environment. This study will contribute to providing better understanding regarding the relationship between tissue morphogenesis and mechanical environment.