Effect of membrane stiffness and cytoskeletal element density on mechanical stimuli within cells: an analysis of the consequences of ageing in cells
File Type:
PDFItem Type:
Journal ArticleDate:
2015Access:
openAccessCitation:
Xue, F. Lennon, A.B. McKayed, K.K. Campbell, V.A. Prendergast, P.J., Effect of membrane stiffness and cytoskeletal element density on mechanical stimuli within cells: an analysis of the consequences of ageing in cells, Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 18, 5, 2015, 468 - 476Download Item:
Pre-publish article proof.pdf (Accepted for publication (author's copy) - Peer Reviewed) 335.9Kb
Abstract:
A finite element model of a single cell was created and used to compute the biophysical stimuli generated within a cell under
mechanical loading. Major cellular components were incorporated in the model: the membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus,
microtubules, actin filaments, intermediate filaments, nuclear lamina and chromatin. The model used multiple sets of
tensegrity structures. Viscoelastic properties were assigned to the continuum components. To corroborate the model, a
simulation of atomic force microscopy indentation was performed and results showed a force/indentation simulation with
the range of experimental results. A parametric analysis of both increasing membrane stiffness (thereby modelling
membrane peroxidation with age) and decreasing density of cytoskeletal elements (thereby modelling reduced actin density
with age) was performed. Comparing normal and aged cells under indentation predicts that aged cells have a lower
membrane area subjected to high strain as compared with young cells, but the difference, surprisingly, is very small and may
not be measurable experimentally. Ageing is predicted to have more significant effect on strain deep in the nucleus. These
results show that computation of biophysical stimuli within cells are achievable with single-cell computational models;
correspondence between computed and measured force/displacement behaviours provides a high-level validation of the
model. Regarding the effect of ageing, the models suggest only small, although possibly physiologically significant,
differences in internal biophysical stimuli between normal and aged cells.
Sponsor
Grant Number
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
08/RFP/ENM1361
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/pprenderhttp://people.tcd.ie/vacmpbll
Description:
PUBLISHED
Author: Campbell, Veronica; Prendergast, Patrick
Type of material:
Journal ArticleSeries/Report no:
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering18
5
Availability:
Full text availableDOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10255842.2013.811234Licences: