Simulation of fluid-solid interaction within extracellular matrix

To gain insight into the interaction between the extracellular fluid and the matrix, we applied the poroetastic theory and modeled the extracellular matrix as a deformable porous medium. We investigated effects of properties of the matrix, boundary conditions and water permeability at the surface of the matrix on the matrix deformation and fluid movement in the matrix. Particular attention was given to the relative velocity of the extracellular fluid to the solid matrix under dynamic stimulations. The model provided spatial distributions as well as their temporal variations of pressure, solid deformation and fluid velocity. It can be used to interpret certain experiments and provide insight into the mechanical environment and flow conditions within the extracellular matrix.