On the impact of single cell biomechanics on the spatio-temporal organization of regenerative tissue

Abstract

Collective phenomena in multi-cellular assemblies can be modeled on different levels of complexity. So-called agent-based or individual-based models (IBMs) consider the dynamics of each individual cell. As a special feature, these models allow to account for intracellular decision processes which are triggered by biomechanical cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions. In simulation studies of lattice-free IBMs we analyzed the spatio-temporally organization of intestinal (ISC) and mesenchymal (MSC) stem cell systems. We discuss the impact of cell contact formation on the growth and homeostasis of these complex systems. We demonstrate that cell biomechanics can contribute in regulating homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium by affecting both tissue shape and function. Moreover, cell contact formation is suggested to generate an age structure in expanding MSC populations in vitro increasing their population heterogeneity. Our results implicate that a biomechanical characterization of single cells depending on their degree of differentiation and age is essential for a comprehensive understanding of regenerative tissue.