A cellular automata model of circulating cell adhesion and transmigration in the microvaculature

Researchers theorize that bone marrow-derived stem cells contribute to vascular growth by homing from bone marrow through the circulation to sites of tissue injury in the body. Here they adhere to and transmigrate through microvessels, whereupon they participate in microvascular growth. These processes are complex making traditional experimental results difficult to evaluate. We created a cellular automata computational model of the microvascular system that incorporates circulating stem cells. Simulations were run on six mouse muscle vascular networks. The number of transmigrating cells in both the model and the animal experiments were similar, indicating that the model is capable of predicting stem cell homing and transmigration. The number of transmigrated stem cells suggests that this population may contribute to new vessel growth. By understanding the mechanisms of vascular growth, new therapies can be developed for cancer, heart disease, and wound healing.