In this context, the random-walk theory is a stochastic process formed by a successive sum of variables, independent and identical, randomly distributed (Gaussian distribution). The CA can simulate cell dynamics such as migration, proliferation and cell death, provided that the CA is combined with stochastic tools that homogeneously model and distribute the particles in a given space. Particles move randomly and change of state depending on current position and neighbors. Ī CA is an agent-based model that considers particles occupying a space in a regular lattice. The combination of agent-based models with experimental procedures, such as the use of a cellular automata (CA), can help to understand the behavior of experimental procedures to improve the cost-efficient performance of the experimental procedures carried out in cell culture.
Therefore, this treatment could be enhanced if computational methods allow to predict chondrocyte cell dynamics: migration, proliferation and cell death in order to improve in vitro procedures and increase the success of the therapy on articular cartilage recovery. The employment of the ACI technique entails the consideration of several variables in the cell cultures such as the cell culture time, the cell population to be reached and the molecular synthesis. Once a sufficient number of chondrocytes have been obtained, cells are re-implanted into the injured articular cartilage for restorative benefits. The ACI is a technique intended to expand the patient’s chondrocytes through in vitro cultures. Among these are non-invasive interventions, such as physical therapy to relieve pain locally or invasive treatments such as microfractures, mosaicplasty, osteotomy and Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) to repair or reconstruct the injured cartilage. Limited articular cartilage self-healing properties entail novel therapeutic options for its treatment, particularly when it is affected by traumatic injuries. Given its damping function, articular cartilage is continuously exposed to mechanical loads that often result in an important number of individuals affected worldwide with cartilage related diseases. The functional properties of articular cartilage are related to reducing friction coefficient and support mechanical loads between opposing joint surfaces. This approach is expected to having other uses as in enhancing articular cartilage therapies based on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.Īrticular cartilage is a specialized connective tissue located at the ends of bones in the articular surfaces. Furthermore, in the experimental assessment a decreased chondrocyte proliferation was observed along with increased passage number. Thus, depending on whether cells were just seeded or proliferated exponentially, culture time probabilities differed in percentages in the CA model. Moreover, it was possible to observe that cell dynamics depend on weighted probabilities derived from experimental data and cell behavior varies according to the cell culture period. Results demonstrated that the cellular automata model corresponded to cell dynamics and computed-accurate quantitative results. For this reason, in this research a cellular automata model, based on random-walk theory, was devised in order to predict articular chondrocyte behavior in monolayer culture during cell expansion. This methodology has been implemented for several cell types however, an experimental validation is required for each one.
Computational models such as cellular automata can be used to simulate cell dynamics in order to enhance the result of cell culture procedures. To improve the efficiency of this procedure, it is necessary to assess cell dynamics such as migration, proliferation and cell death during culture. This approach requires in vitro chondrocyte expansion to yield high cell number for cell transplantation. When articular cartilage is affected by traumatic injuries, a therapeutic strategy such as autologous chondrocyte implantation is usually proposed for its treatment. Articular cartilage is characterized by low cell density of only one cell type, chondrocytes, and has limited self-healing properties.