TY - JOUR
T1 - An integrated agent-mathematical model of the effect of intercellular signalling via the epidermal growth factor receptor on cell proliferation
AU - Walker, Dawn
AU - Wood, Steven
AU - Southgate, Jennifer
AU - Holcombe, Mike
AU - Smallwood, Rodney
PY - 2006/10/7
Y1 - 2006/10/7
N2 - We have previously developed Epitheliome, a software agent representation of the growth and repair characteristics of epithelial cell populations, where cell behaviour is governed by a number of simple rules. In this paper, we describe how this model has been extended to incorporate an example of a molecular 'mechanism' behind a rule-in this case, how signalling by both endogenous and exogenous ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can impact on the proliferation of cell agents. We have developed a mathematical model representing release of endogenous ligand by cells, three-dimensional diffusion of the secreted molecules through a volume of cell culture medium, ligand-receptor binding, and bound receptor internalization and trafficking. Information relating to quantities of molecular species associated with each cell agent is frequently exchanged between the agent and signalling models, and the ratio of bound to free receptors determines cell cycle progression and hence the proliferative behaviour of the cell agents. We have applied this integrated model to examine the effect of plating density on tissue growth via autocrine/paracrine signalling. This predicts that cell growth is dependent on the concentration of exogenous ligand, but where this is limited, then growth becomes dependent on cell density and the availability of endogenous ligand. We have further modified the calcium concentration of the medium to modulate the formation of intercellular bonds between cells and shown that the increased propensity for cells to form colonies in physiological calcium does not result in significantly different patterns of receptor occupancy. In conclusion, our approach demonstrates that by combining agent-based and mathematical modelling paradigms, it is possible to probe the complex feedback relationship between the behaviour of individual cells and their interaction with one another and their environment. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
AB - We have previously developed Epitheliome, a software agent representation of the growth and repair characteristics of epithelial cell populations, where cell behaviour is governed by a number of simple rules. In this paper, we describe how this model has been extended to incorporate an example of a molecular 'mechanism' behind a rule-in this case, how signalling by both endogenous and exogenous ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can impact on the proliferation of cell agents. We have developed a mathematical model representing release of endogenous ligand by cells, three-dimensional diffusion of the secreted molecules through a volume of cell culture medium, ligand-receptor binding, and bound receptor internalization and trafficking. Information relating to quantities of molecular species associated with each cell agent is frequently exchanged between the agent and signalling models, and the ratio of bound to free receptors determines cell cycle progression and hence the proliferative behaviour of the cell agents. We have applied this integrated model to examine the effect of plating density on tissue growth via autocrine/paracrine signalling. This predicts that cell growth is dependent on the concentration of exogenous ligand, but where this is limited, then growth becomes dependent on cell density and the availability of endogenous ligand. We have further modified the calcium concentration of the medium to modulate the formation of intercellular bonds between cells and shown that the increased propensity for cells to form colonies in physiological calcium does not result in significantly different patterns of receptor occupancy. In conclusion, our approach demonstrates that by combining agent-based and mathematical modelling paradigms, it is possible to probe the complex feedback relationship between the behaviour of individual cells and their interaction with one another and their environment. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KW - Agent-based model
KW - Autocrine
KW - Epidermal growth factor receptor
KW - Mathematical model
KW - Paracrine
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33747888023&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jtbi.2006.04.020
DO - 10.1016/j.jtbi.2006.04.020
M3 - Article
C2 - 16765384
SN - 0022-5193
VL - 242
SP - 774
EP - 789
JO - Journal of theoretical biology
JF - Journal of theoretical biology
IS - 3
ER -