| Autor: |
Schmid K; Fakultät für Biologie, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany., Olivares AL; Sensing in Physiology and Biomedicine (PhySense), Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain., Camara O; Sensing in Physiology and Biomedicine (PhySense), Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain., Kuebler WM; Institute of Physiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.; German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Berlin, Germany., Ochs M; Institute of Functional Anatomy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.; German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Berlin, Germany., Hocke AC; Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.; German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Berlin, Germany., Fischer SC; Fakultät für Biologie, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. |
| Abstrakt: |
The intricate lung structure is crucial for gas exchange within the alveolar region. Despite extensive research, questions remain about the connection between capillaries and the vascular tree. We propose a computational approach combining three-dimensional (3-D) morphological modeling with computational fluid dynamics simulations to explore alveolar capillary network connectivity based on blood flow dynamics. We developed three-dimensional sheet-flow models to accurately represent alveolar capillary morphology and conducted simulations to predict flow velocities and pressure distributions. Our approach leverages functional features to identify plausible system architectures. Given capillary flow velocities and arteriole-to-venule pressure drops, we deduced arteriole connectivity details. Preliminary analyses for nonhuman species indicate a single alveolus connects to at least two 20-µm arterioles or one 30-µm arteriole. Hence, our approach narrows down potential connectivity scenarios, but a unique solution may not always be expected. Integrating our blood flow model results into our previously published gas exchange application, Alvin, we linked these scenarios to gas exchange efficiency. We found that increased blood flow velocity correlates with higher gas exchange efficiency. Our study provides insights into pulmonary microvasculature structure by evaluating blood flow dynamics, offering a new strategy to explore the morphology-physiology relationship that is applicable to other tissues and organs. Future availability of experimental data will be crucial in validating and refining our computational models and hypotheses. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The alveolus is pivotal for gas exchange. Its complex, dynamic nature makes structural experimental studies challenging. Computational modeling offers an alternative. We developed a data-based three-dimensional (3-D) model of the alveolar capillary network and performed blood flow simulations within it. Choosing a novel perspective, we inferred structure from function. We systematically varied the properties of vessels connected to our capillary network and analyzed simulation results for blood flow and gas exchange to obtain plausible vessel configurations. |
