We consider a family of multi-phase Stefan problems for a certain 1-d model of cell-to-cell adhesion and diffusion, which takes the form of a nonlinear forward-backward parabolic equation. In each material phase the cell density stays either high or low, and phases are connected by jumps across an `unstable' interval. We develop an existence theory for such problems which allows for the annihilation of phases and the subsequent continuation of solutions. Stability results for the long-time behaviour of solutions are also obtained, and, where necessary, the analysis is complemented by numerical simulations.
We develop and analyse a discrete, one-dimensional model of cell motility which incorporates the effects of volume filling, cell-to-cell adhesion and chemotaxis. The formal continuum limit of the model is a nonlinear generalisation of the parabolic-elliptic Keller-Segel equations, with a diffusivity which can become negative if the adhesion coefficient is large. The consequent ill-posedness results in the appearance of spatial oscillations and the development of plateaus in numerical solutions of the underlying discrete model. A global-existence result is obtained for the continuum equations i…
Cell-cell adhesion is an inherently nonlocal phenomenon. Numerous partial differential equation models with nonlocal term have been recently presented to describe this phenomenon, yet the mathematical properties of nonlocal adhesion model are not well understood. Here we consider a model with two kinds of nonlocal cell-cell adhesion, satisfying no-flux conditions in a multidimensional bounded domain. We show global-in-time well-posedness of the solution to this model and obtain the uniform boundedness of solution.
In 2006 Armstrong, Painter and Sherratt formulated a non-local differential equation model for cell-cell adhesion. For the one dimensional case we derive various types of adhesive, repulsive, and no-flux boundary bonditions. We prove local and global existence and uniqueness for the resulting integro-differential equations. In numerical simulations we consider adhesive, repulsive and neutral boundary conditions and we show that the solutions mimic known behavior of fluid adhesion to boundaries. In addition, we observe interior pattern formation due to cell-cell adhesion.
We investigate micro-to-macroscopic derivations in two models of living cells, in presence to cell-cell adhesive interactions. We rigorously address two PDE-based models, one featuring non-local terms and another purely local, as a a result of a law of large numbers for stochastic particle systems, with moderate interactions in the sense of K. Oelshchlaeger (1985).
A two-dimensional mathematical model for cells migrating without adhesion capabilities is presented and analyzed. Cells are represented by their cortex, which is modelled as an elastic curve, subject to an internal pressure force. Net polymerization or depolymerization in the cortex is modelled via local addition or removal of material, driving a cortical flow. The model takes the form of a fully nonlinear degenerate parabolic system. An existence analysis is carried out by adapting ideas from the theory of gradient flows. Numerical simulations show that these simple rules can account for the …
In this manuscript, we consider the modelling of cellular adhesions, which is a key interaction between biological cells. Continuum models of the diffusion-advection-reaction type have long been used in tissue modelling. In 2006, Armstrong, Painter, and Sherratt proposed an extension to take adhesion effects into account. The resulting equation is a non-local advection-diffusion equation. While immensely successful in applications, the development of mathematical theory pertaining to steady states and pattern formation is lacking. The mathematical analysis of the non-local adhesion model is ch…
This paper deals with the adhesive interaction arising between a cell circulating in the blood flow and the vascular wall. The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of the blood flow velocity on the cell dynamics, and in particular on its possible adhesion to the vascular wall. We formulate a model that takes into account the stochastic variability of the formation of bonds, and the influence of the cell velocity on the binding dynamics: the faster the cell goes, the more likely existing bonds are to disassemble. The model is based on a nonlinear birth-and-death-like dynamics, in t…
Cell-cell adhesion is one the most fundamental mechanisms regulating collective cell migration during tissue development, homeostasis and repair, allowing cell populations to self-organize and eventually form and maintain complex tissue shapes. Cells interact with each other via the formation of protrusions or filopodia and they adhere to other cells through binding of cell surface proteins. The resulting adhesive forces are then related to cell size and shape and, often, continuum models represent them by nonlocal attractive interactions. In this paper, we present a new continuum model of cel…
The technique of periodic homogenization with two-scale convergence is applied to the analysis of a two-phase Stefan-type problem that arises in the study of a periodic array of melting ice bars. For this "reduced model" we prove results on existence, uniqueness and convergence of the two-scale limit solution in the weak form, which requires solving a macroscale problem for the global temperature field and a reference cell problem at each point in space which captures the underlying phase change process occurring on the microscale. We state a corresponding strong formulation of the limit probl…
Recent biological experiments have shown that certain types of cells are able to move in structured and confined environment even without the activation of focal adhesion. Focusing on this particular phenomenon and based on previous works, we derive a novel two-dimensional mechanical model, which relies on the following physical ingredients: the asymmetrical renewal of the actin cortex supporting the membrane, resulting in a backward flow of material; the mechanical description of the nucleus membrane and the inner nuclear material; the microtubule network guiding nucleus location; the contact…
The study of tree sap exudation, in which a (leafless) tree generates elevated stem pressure in response to repeated daily freeze-thaw cycles, gives rise to an interesting multi-scale problem involving heat and multiphase liquid/gas transport. The pressure generation mechanism is a cellular-level process that is governed by differential equations for sap transport through porous cell membranes, phase change, heat transport, and generation of osmotic pressure. By assuming a periodic cellular structure based on an appropriate reference cell, we derive an homogenized heat equation governing the g…
We provide a review of recent advancements in nonlocal continuous models for migration, mainly from the perspective of its involvement in embryonal development and cancer invasion. Particular emphasis is placed on spatial nonlocality occurring in advection terms, used to characterise a cell's motility bias according to its interactions with other cellular and acellular components in its vicinity (e.g., cell-cell and cell-tissue adhesions, nonlocal chemotaxis), but we also shortly address spatially nonlocal source terms. Following a brief introduction and motivation, we give a systematic classi…
