title: Computational modelling of the scaffold-free chondrocyte regeneration: a two-way coupling between the cell growth and local fluid flow and nutrient concentration.
abstract: The in vitro chondrocyte cell culture process in a perfusion bioreactor provides enhanced nutrient supply as well as the flow-induced shear stress that may have a positive influence on the cell growth. Mathematical and computational modelling of such a culture process, by solving the coupled flow, mass transfer and cell growth equations simultaneously, can provide important insight into the biomechanical environment of a bioreactor and the related cell growth process. To do this, a two-way coupling between the local flow field and cell growth is required. Notably, most of the computational and mathematical models to date have not taken into account the influence of the cell growth on the local flow field and nutrient concentration. The present research aimed at developing a mathematical model and performing a numerical simulation using the lattice Boltzmann method to predict the chondrocyte cell growth without a scaffold on a flat plate placed inside a perfusion bioreactor. The model considers the two-way coupling between the cell growth and local flow field, and the simulation has been performed for 174 culture days. To incorporate the cell growth into the model, a control-volume-based surface growth modelling approach has been adopted. The simulation results show the variation of local fluid velocity, shear stress and concentration distribution during the culture period due to the growth of the cell phase and also illustrate that the shear stress can increase the cell volume fraction to a certain extent.
authors: Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A9, Canada. mdh511@mail.usask.ca.
authors: Md Shakhawath
authors: MS
authors: Hossain
authors: Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A9, Canada. don.bergstrom@mail.usask.ca.
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Bergstrom
authors: Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A9, Canada. xbc719@mail.usask.ca.
authors: X B
authors: XB
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061249:Batch Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods; D016062:Porosity; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods; D033081:Shear Strength / Q000502:physiology; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media
keywords: Chondrocyte cell growth; Lattice Boltzmann method; Modelling and simulation of the tissue growth; Perfusion bioreactor; Scaffold-free cell culture; Shear stress