Long ligands reinforce biological adhesion under shear flow

TL;DR

This study uses computer modeling to demonstrate that longer ligands enhance the ability of biological cells to resist shear flow during adhesion, providing insights into biophysical processes and biomimetic system design.

Contribution

A mechanistic model of ligand-receptor adhesion with analytical and simulation validation, highlighting the role of ligand length in adhesion strength under shear flow.

Findings

Longer ligands increase adhesion resilience under shear flow.

Analytical threshold between adhesion and non-adhesion regimes established.

Model applicable to understanding thrombosis and designing biomimetic systems.

Abstract

In this work the computer modeling has been used to show that longer ligands allow biological cells (e.g., blood platelets) to withstand stronger flows after their adhesion to solid walls. Mechanistic model of polymer-mediated ligand-receptor adhesion between a microparticle (cell) and a flat wall has been developed. Theoretical threshold between adherent and non-adherent regimes has been derived analytically and confirmed by simulations. These results lead to a deeper understanding of numerous biophysical processes, e.g., arterial thrombosis, and to the design of new biomimetic colloid-polymer systems.