A cell-based mechanical model of coronary artery tunica media. Issue 132 (31st July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Melnikova, N. B.; Svitenkov, A. I.; Hose, D. R.; Hoekstra, A. G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Royal Society interface. Volume 14:Issue 132(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-07-31
• Subjects: cell-based model -- tunica media -- smooth muscle cell -- mechanics -- in silico stretch tests; Physical sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Interdisciplinary research -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-5689

Abstract

Abstract : A three-dimensional cell-based mechanical model of coronary artery tunica media is proposed. The model is composed of spherical cells forming a hexagonal close-packed lattice. Tissue anisotropy is taken into account by varying interaction forces with the direction of intercellular connection. Several cell-centre interaction potentials for repulsion and attraction are considered, including the Hertz contact model and its neo-Hookean extension, the Johnson–Kendall–Roberts model of adhesive contact, and a wormlike chain model. The model is validated against data from in vitro uni-axial tension tests performed on dissected strips of tunica media. The wormlike chain potential in combination with the neo-Hookean Hertz contact model produces stress–stretch curves which represent the experimental data very well.