Fluid-Strucutre Modeling of Lung Epithelial Cell Deformation During the Reopening of Compliant Airways

摘要

We developed a 2D fluid-structure interaction model of cell deformation during airway reopening that accounts for wall compliance. The model was used to investigate how the elasticity and capillary numbers influence cell deformation during airway reopening. We quantified how the pressure gradient varies as a function of wall stiffness and capillary number and found that pressure gradients were largest on rigid walls. Future development of this model into a transient 3D model may help in understanding how changes in wall mechanics, as occurs during diseases like fibrosis or emphseyma, influence cell injury during airway reopening.