For over a century cardiovascular diseases have been the primary cause of death in the United States. Therefore, improved tools to aid in diagnosis and prognosis of atherosclerosis are needed. A step towards this goal is to evaluate the hypothesis that integrative multi-scale, multiphysics modeling is capable of predicting the growth and remodeling of atherogenesis in a simulated coronary artery. The methods required to accomplish this objective will involve 1) setting up a theoretical framework for a multiscale model capable of robustly integrating interactions from the protein to tissue level of a coronary artery, 2) establishing an accurate process to calculate the stresses resulting from pressurization and flow in this artery, 3) coupling these simulations to create a congruent multiscale model capable of simulating atherosclerotic plaque progression, and 4) validating model predictions to longitudinal in-vivo human and ex-vivo porcine data detailing plaque progression. Previously, we have shown that inclusive computational models are capable of predicting the hemodynamically, anatomically, and mechano-chemo-biologically varying aspects during arterial remodeling under healthy and hypertensive conditions. Since, this model was incapable of predicting the 3D changes, atherosclerotic plaques, and mechanical inhomogeneity present in the advanced stages of atherosclerosis, we present an approach combining agent based modeling (ABM) with finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to create a modeling tool that can predict the evolution of atherosclerotic plaque progression and instability. Together this model will be able to handle mechano-geometric complexity (FEA & CFD) and chemo- biological complexity (ABM) to a degree existing approaches cannot. From a basic science perspective, by integrating numerous cell-level behaviors one can better understand the underlying causes leading to plaque progression. Moreover, it will reveal areas that warrant further research or reveal emergent properties otherwise overlooked. Ultimately, a better multi-scale model of plaque evolution will be insightful for individualized decision making (e.g. to treat or not to treat a lesion) and foundational for design changes in interventional approaches (e.g. hypothesizing how an artery will respond to a pharmaceutical candidate, stent design or graft).

Public Health Relevance

Given enough time all individuals will develop atherosclerosis. Clinical imaging can detect atherloerotic plaque in one?s arteries, however understanding how the plaque subsequently evolves remains unclear. In this grant, we propose a virtual model with mechano-chemo- biological dependences in order to predict atherosclerotic plaque evolution and eventually serve as both a diagnostic and prognostic tool to better treat patient-specific atherosclerotic plaques.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL136776-02
Application #
9618585
Study Section
Modeling and Analysis of Biological Systems Study Section (MABS)
Program Officer
Lee, Albert
Project Start
2018-01-01
Project End
2022-12-31
Budget Start
2019-01-01
Budget End
2019-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas-Dallas
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Biomed Engr/Col Engr/Engr Sta
DUNS #
800188161
City
Richardson
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
75080
Keshavarzian, Maziyar; Meyer, Clark A; Hayenga, Heather N (2018) Mechanobiological model of arterial growth and remodeling. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 17:87-101
Ciri, Umberto; Bhui, Rita; Bailon-Cuba, Jorge et al. (2018) Dependence of leukocyte capture on instantaneous pulsatile flow. J Biomech 76:84-93
Bhui, Rita; Hayenga, Heather N (2017) An agent-based model of leukocyte transendothelial migration during atherogenesis. PLoS Comput Biol 13:e1005523