Modeling of Kidney Hemodynamics: Probability-Based Topology of an Arterial Network

PLoS Comput Biol. 2016 Jul 22;12(7):e1004922. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004922. eCollection 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Through regulation of the extracellular fluid volume, the kidneys provide important long-term regulation of blood pressure. At the level of the individual functional unit (the nephron), pressure and flow control involves two different mechanisms that both produce oscillations. The nephrons are arranged in a complex branching structure that delivers blood to each nephron and, at the same time, provides a basis for an interaction between adjacent nephrons. The functional consequences of this interaction are not understood, and at present it is not possible to address this question experimentally. We provide experimental data and a new modeling approach to clarify this problem. To resolve details of microvascular structure, we collected 3D data from more than 150 afferent arterioles in an optically cleared rat kidney. Using these results together with published micro-computed tomography (μCT) data we develop an algorithm for generating the renal arterial network. We then introduce a mathematical model describing blood flow dynamics and nephron to nephron interaction in the network. The model includes an implementation of electrical signal propagation along a vascular wall. Simulation results show that the renal arterial architecture plays an important role in maintaining adequate pressure levels and the self-sustained dynamics of nephrons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Arterioles* / anatomy & histology
  • Arterioles* / physiology
  • Computational Biology
  • Hemodynamics / physiology*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Kidney* / anatomy & histology
  • Kidney* / blood supply
  • Kidney* / physiology
  • Models, Biological*
  • Nephrons / anatomy & histology
  • Nephrons / blood supply
  • Nephrons / physiology
  • Rats
  • Renal Artery / anatomy & histology
  • Renal Artery / physiology

Associated data

  • Dryad/10.5061/dryad.253p6

Grants and funding

The work is part of the Dynamical Systems Interdisciplinary Network, University of Copenhagen. DEP acknowledges the support of this work by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, project 3.1340.2014/K. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.