Author: A Leronni, L Bardella, L Dorfmann, A Pietak, M Levin
Affiliation: 1 Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
3 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
4 Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
Conference/Journal: Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
Date published: 2020 Jun
Other:
Volume ID: 17 , Issue ID: 167 , Pages: 20200177 , Word Count: 108
PMID: 32486953 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0177
Abstract
The role of endogenous bioelectricity in morphogenesis has recently been explored through the finite volume-based code BioElectric Tissue Simulation Engine. We extend this platform to electrostatic and osmotic forces due to bioelectrical ion fluxes, causing cell cluster deformation. We further account for mechanosensitive ion channels, which, gated by membrane tension, modulate ion fluxes and, ultimately, bioelectrical forces. We illustrate the potentialities of this combined model of actuation and sensing with reference to cancer progression, osmoregulation, symmetry breaking and long-range signalling. This suggests control strategies for the manipulation of cell networks in vivo.
Keywords: bioelectricity; electrostatic stress; mechanical stress; mechanosensitive ion channels; morphogenesis; osmotic stress.