A stochastic model of eye lens growth

JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY

卷:376

Article

Sikic, Hrvoje^1,2  Shi, Yanrong²  Lubura, Snjezana¹  Bassnett, Steven² 

[1] Univ Zagreb, Fac Sci, Dept Math, Zagreb 41000, Croatia

[2] Washington Univ, Sch Med, Dept Ophthalmol & Visual Sci, St Louis, MO 63110 USA

关键词: Epithelium;    Proliferation;    Mitosis;    Immigration;    Emigration;    Branching process;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jtbi.2015.03.021

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

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. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

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