Mathematical Modeling of Phagocyte Chemotaxis toward and Adherence to Biomaterial Implants

Medical implanted devices usually prompt foreign body reactions that lead to the formation of fibrotic capsule surrounding the implanted devices. Cascade phagocyte responses, such as phagocyte chemotaxis and phagocyte adherence, are believed important in pathogenesis of fibrotic responses. Therefore, in-depth understanding of phagocyte chemotaxis and adherence processes is important to successfully reduce the fibrotic responses to improve the stability and functionality of implanted medical devices. This paper hypothesizes the molecular mechanisms governing phagocyte chemotaxis and adherence. To support our hypotheses and to provide the prediction of un-measured dynamic features in phagocyte chemotaxis and adherence processes, mathematical models based on system and control theory are built. To maximize the prediction ability and to guide future experimental design, external controls are provided by the mathematical model. The effectiveness of the mathematical model is demonstrated by computer simulation.