Phase field model for phagocytosis dynamics

TL;DR

This paper develops a phase field model to simulate the complex membrane dynamics of phagocytosis, capturing key features like pedestal and cup phases through a novel integro-differential equation.

Contribution

It introduces a new scalar integro-differential equation for 3D membrane dynamics in phagocytosis, coupling membrane shape with actin polarization.

Findings

Simulation reproduces pedestal and cup phases of phagocytosis.

The model is numerically solvable and captures key morphological features.

Does not simulate complete bead internalization.

Abstract

The basic process of the innate immune system when phagocyte (white blood cell) engulf or swallow a target particle (bacterium or dead cell), is called phagocytosis. We apply the phase field approach in the spirit of [1], that couples the order parameter $u$ with 3D polarization (orientation) vector field $\textbf{P}$ of the actin network of the phagocyte cytoskeleton. We derive a single closed scalar integro-differential equation governing the 3D phagocyte membrane dynamics during bead engulfment, which includes the normal velocity of the membrane, curvature, volume relaxation rate, a function determined by the molecular effects of the subcell level, and the adhesion effect of the motionless rigid spherical bead. This equation is easily solved numerically. The simulation manifests the pedestal and the cup phases but not the final complete bead internalization.