Modeling Cell Positioning and Directed Migration and Their Regulation by EphB and EphrinB in the Intestinal Crypt

Abstract

In this thesis, computation models are developed to investigate the mechanisms by which cells organise themselves and move orderly in the intestinal epithelium. By considering the differential interaction of EphB and ehprinB in the intestinal epithelium, it is assumed that different types of cells in the models have different intercellular adhesion properties. In the simulations performed, I observe cell behaviours that reproduce the experimental results found. The results show that differential cell adhesion considered in the model can mediate cell positioning in the intestinal epithelium. The coordinated movement of epithelial cells in the intestine is enhanced and the speed of epithelial cells is increased when differential cell adhesion is maintained. Furthermore, by modulating cell-substrate adhesion and cell-cell adhesion, how these two adhesion factors regulate cell translocation can be investigated. Finally, the factors that contribute to the accumulation of cells with tumorigenic potential in the intestinal crypt are also discussed.