A mechanical model for morphological response of endothelial cells under combined wall shear stress and cyclic stretch loadings

The shape and morphology of endothelial cells (ECs) lining the blood vessels are a good indicator for atheroprone and atheroprotected sites. ECs of blood vessels experience both wall shear stress (WSS) and cyclic stretch (CS). These mechanical stimuli influence the shape and morphology of ECs. A few models have been proposed for predicting the morphology of ECs under WSS or CS. In the present study, a mathematical cell population model is developed to simulate the morphology of ECs under combined WSS and CS conditions. The model considers the cytoskeletal filaments, cell–cell interactions, and cell–extracellular matrix interactions. In addition, the reorientation and polymerization of microfilaments are implemented in the model. The simulations are performed for different conditions: without mechanical stimuli, under pure WSS, under pure CS, and under combined WSS and CS. The results are represented as shape and morphology of ECs, shape index, and angle of orientation. The model is validated qualitatively and quantitatively with several experimental studies, and good agreement with experimental studies is achieved. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first model for predicting the morphology of ECs under combined WSS and CS condition. The model can be used to indicate the atheroprone regions of a patient’s artery.