Modeling the Progression of Epithelial Leak Caused by Overdistension.

ABSTRACT: Mechanical ventilation is necessary for treatment of the acute respiratory distress syndrome but leads to overdistension of the open regions of the lung and produces further damage. Although we know that the excessive stresses and strains disrupt the alveolar epithelium, we know little about the relationship between epithelial strain and epithelial leak. We have developed a computational model of an epithelial monolayer to simulate leak progression due to overdistension and to explain previous experimental findings in mice with ventilator-induced lung injury. We found a nonlinear threshold-type relationship between leak area and increasing stretch force. After the force required to initiate the leak was reached, the leak area increased at a constant rate with further increases in force. Fu

SUBMITTER: Hamlington KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4778393 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature