A Biophysical Model for Cytotoxic Cell Swelling.

ABSTRACT: We present a dynamic biophysical model to explain neuronal swelling underlying cytotoxic edema in conditions of low energy supply, as observed in cerebral ischemia. Our model contains Hodgkin-Huxley-type ion currents, a recently discovered voltage-gated chloride flux through the ion exchanger SLC26A11, active KCC2-mediated chloride extrusion, and ATP-dependent pumps. The model predicts changes in ion gradients and cell swelling during ischemia of various severity or channel blockage with realistic timescales. We theoretically substantiate experimental observations of chloride influx generating cytotoxic edema, while sodium entry alone does not. We show a tipping point of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase functioning, where below cell volume rapidly increases as a function of the remainin

SUBMITTER: Dijkstra K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6604918 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature