Modelling realistic 3D deformations of simple epithelia in dynamic homeostasis

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new 3D cell-centre model for simple epithelia that accurately simulates tissue stability during dynamic processes like renewal, migration, and cell removal, advancing tissue modeling capabilities.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, deformable multilayer 3D model of simple epithelium that maintains structure during tissue renewal and cell migration, filling a gap in tissue modeling.

Findings

Model maintains tissue structure during renewal and migration

Robustness demonstrated under various tissue dynamics

Advances in realistic tissue and organ modeling

Abstract

The maintenance of tissue and organ structures during dynamic homeostasis is often not well understood. In order for a system to be stable, cell renewal, cell migration and cell death must be finely balanced. Moreover, a tissue's shape must remain relatively unchanged. Simple epithelial tissues occur in various structures throughout the body, such as the endothelium, mesothelium, linings of the lungs, saliva and thyroid glands, and gastrointestinal tract. Despite the prevalence of simple epithelial tissues, there are few models which accurately describe how these tissues maintain a stable structure. Here, we present a novel, 3D, deformable, multilayer, cell-centre model of a simple epithelium. Cell movement is governed by the minimisation of a bending potential across the epithelium, cell-cell adhesion, and viscous effects. We show that the model is capable of maintaining a consistent tissue structure while undergoing self renewal. We also demonstrate the model's robustness under tissue renewal, cell migration and cell removal. The model presented here is a valuable advancement towards the modelling of tissues and organs with complex and generalised structures.