Mathematical modelling of tissue-engineered angiogenesis

Math Biosci. 2009 Oct;221(2):101-20. doi: 10.1016/j.mbs.2009.07.003. Epub 2009 Jul 18.

Abstract

We present a mathematical model for the vascularisation of a porous scaffold following implantation in vivo. The model is given as a set of coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) which describe the evolution in time of the amounts of the different tissue constituents inside the scaffold. Bifurcation analyses reveal how the extent of scaffold vascularisation changes as a function of the parameter values. For example, it is shown how the loss of seeded cells arising from slow infiltration of vascular tissue can be overcome using a prevascularisation strategy consisting of seeding the scaffold with vascular cells. Using certain assumptions it is shown how the system can be simplified to one which is partially tractable and for which some analysis is given. Limited comparison is also given of the model solutions with experimental data from the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Cell Death / physiology
  • Cell Hypoxia / physiology
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / blood supply
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / cytology
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / growth & development
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / metabolism
  • Computer Simulation
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Microvessels / anatomy & histology
  • Microvessels / growth & development
  • Models, Biological*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology*
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Pericytes / cytology
  • Pericytes / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds*
  • Transplants
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Oxygen