A 1D model characterizing the role of spatiotemporal contraction distributions on lymph transport.

Lymphedema is a condition in which lymph transport is compromised. The factors that govern the timing of lymphatic contractions are largely unknown; however, these factors likely play a central role in lymphatic health. Computational models have proven useful in quantifying changes in lymph transport; nevertheless, there is still much unknown regarding the regulation of contractions. The purpose of this paper is to utilize computational modeling to examine the role of pacemaking activity in lymph transport. A 1D fluid–solid modeling framework was utilized to describe the interaction between the contracting vessel and the lymph flow. The distribution of contractions along a three-lymphangion chain in time and space was determined by specifying the pacemaking sites and parameters obtained from experimentation. The model effectively replicates the contractility patterns in experiments. Quantitatively, the flow rates were measured at 5.44 and 2.29 , and the EF values were 78% and less than 33% in the WT and KO models, respectively, which are consistent with the literature. Applying pacemaking parameters in this modeling framework effectively captures lymphatic contractile wave propagations and their relation to lymph transport. It can serve as a motivation for conducting novel studies to evaluate lymphatic pumping function during the development of lymphedema.

淋巴水肿是一种淋巴运输受损的病症。控制淋巴管收缩时间的因素在很大程度上是未知的；然而，这些因素可能在淋巴健康中起着核心作用。计算模型已被证明在量化淋巴运输的变化方面是有用的；尽管如此，关于收缩的调节仍有很多未知之处。本文的目的是利用计算模型来研究起搏活动在淋巴运输中的作用。采用了一维流 - 固建模框架来描述收缩血管与淋巴流之间的相互作用。通过指定起搏位点和从实验中获得的参数，确定了沿三个淋巴管节段链在时间和空间上的收缩分布。该模型有效地复制了实验中的收缩模式。从定量上看，在野生型（WT）和基因敲除型（KO）模型中，流速分别测量为5.44和2.29，射血分数（EF）值分别为78%和小于33%，这与文献一致。在此建模框架中应用起搏参数有效地捕捉到了淋巴收缩波的传播及其与淋巴运输的关系。它可以作为开展新研究以评估淋巴水肿发展过程中淋巴泵功能的动力。