Inference of alveolar capillary network connectivity from blood flow dynamics
Mostra el registre complet Registre parcial de l'ítem
- dc.contributor.author Schmid, Kerstin
- dc.contributor.author Olivares Andy L.
- dc.contributor.author Camara, Oscar
- dc.contributor.author Kuebler, Wolfgang M.
- dc.contributor.author Ochs, Matthias
- dc.contributor.author Hocke, Andreas C.
- dc.contributor.author Fisher, Sabine C.
- dc.date.accessioned 2025-05-15T06:10:00Z
- dc.date.available 2025-05-15T06:10:00Z
- dc.date.issued 2024
- dc.description Supplementary materials files: online appendix; replication data.
- dc.description.abstract 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.
- dc.format.mimetype application/pdf
- dc.identifier.citation Schmid K, Olivares AL, Camara O, Kuebler WM, Ochs M, Hocke AC, et al. Inference of alveolar capillary network connectivity from blood flow dynamics. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2024 Dec;327(6):L852-66. DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00025.2024
- dc.identifier.doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajplung.00025.2024
- dc.identifier.issn 1040-0605
- dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10230/70394
- dc.language.iso eng
- dc.publisher American Physiological Society
- dc.relation.ispartof American Journal of Physiology. Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. 2024 Dec;327(6):L852-66
- dc.relation.isreferencedby http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13320075
- dc.rights Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution CC-BY 4.0.Published by the American Physiological Society.
- dc.rights.accessRights info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
- dc.rights.uri http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
- dc.subject.keyword Arteriole connectivity
- dc.subject.keyword Computational fluid dynamics
- dc.subject.keyword Data-driven in silico modeling
- dc.subject.keyword Functional morphology
- dc.subject.keyword Pulmonary microvasculature
- dc.title Inference of alveolar capillary network connectivity from blood flow dynamics
- dc.type info:eu-repo/semantics/article
- dc.type.version info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion