Quantification of spatial and phenotypic heterogeneity in an agent-based model of tumour-macrophage interactions.

ABSTRACT: We introduce a new spatial statistic, the weighted pair correlation function (wPCF). The wPCF extends the existing pair correlation function (PCF) and cross-PCF to describe spatial relationships between points marked with combinations of discrete and continuous labels. We validate its use through application to a new agent-based model (ABM) which simulates interactions between macrophages and tumour cells. These interactions are influenced by the spatial positions of the cells and by macrophage phenotype, a continuous variable that ranges from anti-tumour to pro-tumour. By varying model parameters that regulate macrophage phenotype, we show that the ABM exhibits behaviours which resemble the 'three Es of cancer immunoediting': Equilibrium, Escape, and Elimination. We use the wPCF to analys

SUBMITTER: Bull JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10079237 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature