title: A stochastic model of eye lens growth.
abstract: The size and shape of the ocular lens must be controlled with precision if light is to be focused sharply on the retina. The lifelong growth of the lens depends on the production of cells in the anterior epithelium. At the lens equator, epithelial cells differentiate into fiber cells, which are added to the surface of the existing fiber cell mass, increasing its volume and area. We developed a stochastic model relating the rates of cell proliferation and death in various regions of the lens epithelium to deposition of fiber cells and radial lens growth. Epithelial population dynamics were modeled as a branching process with emigration and immigration between proliferative zones. Numerical simulations were in agreement with empirical measurements and demonstrated that, operating within the strict confines of lens geometry, a stochastic growth engine can produce the smooth and precise growth necessary for lens function.
authors: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics, Croatia; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, USA.
authors: Hrvoje
authors: H
authors: Šikić
authors: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, USA.
authors: Yanrong
authors: Y
authors: Shi
authors: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics, Croatia.
authors: Snježana
authors: S
authors: Lubura
authors: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, USA. Electronic address: Bassnett@vision.wustl.edu.
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Bassnett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D013269:Stochastic Processes
keywords: Branching process; Emigration; Epithelium; Immigration; Mitosis; Proliferation