Full paper can be viewed here. Code can be found on GitHub here.

Background

  • Endothelial cells migrate into wounds to heal blood vessel walls alt text
  • Over time cells turn Quiescent (G0) then Senescent alt text
    • These cells act as barriers to migration
  • As we age, the rate of healing is reduced
    • But by how much?
  • Delayed healing leads to thrombosis

Methods

  • An Agent-based Model has been implemented in Python
    • Dynamic system of interacting cells
    • Allows individual representation of the three agents
    • Allows graphical output of behaviours alt text
  • Testing with unit tests, sensitivity analysis, and face validation

Results

  • Senescent cells act as barriers slowing migration
  • Emergent behaviour of cells migrating into wound and proliferating cells turning Quiescent
  • Largest change after 6.6% senescent ~ 41 years old alt text

Conclusion

  • As we age, wound healing rate decreases
    • Little change after 41 years of age
    • This increases the change of blood clot formation
  • Further work:
    • Implement cell adhesion
    • Decrease time complexity
    • In vitro validation