Effect of viscous drag on multiple receptor–ligand bonds rupture force

Monte Carlo simulation of the rupture of multiple receptor–ligand bonds between two PMN cells suspended in a Newtonian fluid is performed. We demonstrate via micro-mechanical model of two cells adhered by multiple receptor–ligand bonds that viscous drag caused by relative motion of cell suspended in a Newtonian fluid modulates transmission of an applied external load to bonds. Specifically, it is demonstrated that at any time the intermolecular bond force is not equivalent to the instantaneous applied force. The difference in the instantaneous applied force and the intermolecular bond force depends on the viscosity of fluid, the size of cell, the applied loading rate, and the number of bonds at any instant of time. Viscous drag acting on cell reduces average bond rupture forces.