Hydrodynamics of stratified epithelium: Steady state and linearized dynamics.
A theoretical model for stratified epithelium is presented. The viscoelastic properties of the tissue are assumed to be dependent on the spatial distribution of proliferative and differentiated cells. Based on this assumption, a hydrodynamic description of tissue dynamics at the long-wavelength, long-time limit is developed, and the analysis reveals important insights into the dynamics of an epithelium close to its steady state. When the proliferative cells occupy a thin region close to the basal membrane, the relaxation rate towards the steady state is enhanced by cell division and cell apoptosis. On the other hand, when the region where proliferative cells reside becomes sufficiently thick, a flow induced by cell apoptosis close to the apical surface enhances small perturbations. This destabilizing mechanism is general for continuous self-renewal multilayered tissues; it could be related to the origin of certain tissue morphology, tumor growth, and the development pattern.
Department of Physics, National Central University, Jhongli 32001, Taiwan.|Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
Wei-Ting
WT
Yeh
Department of Physics, National Central University, Jhongli 32001, Taiwan.|Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.|Physics Division, National Center for Theoretical Sciences, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
Hsuan-Yi
HY
Chen
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D008954:Models, Biological