Modeling critical interaction for metastasis between circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and platelets adhered to the capillary wall

Background and objective We used a 2D fluid-solid interaction (FSI) model to investigate the critical conditions for the arrest of the CTCs traveling through the narrowed capillary with a platelet attached to the capillary wall. This computational model allows us to determine the deformations and the progression of the passage of the CTC through different types of microvessels with platelet included. Methods The modeling process is obtained using the strong coupling approach following the remeshing procedure. Also, the 1D FE rope element for simulating active ligand-receptor bonds is implemented in our computational tool (described below). Results A relationship between the CTCs properties (size and stiffness), the platelet size and stiffness, and the ligand-receptor interaction intensity, on one side, and the time in contact between the CTCs and platelet and conditions for the cell arrest, on the other side, are determined. The model is further validated in vitro by using a microfluidic device with metastatic breast tumor cells. Conclusions The computational framework that is presented, with accompanying results, can be used as a powerful tool to study biomechanical conditions for CTCs arrest in interaction with platelets, giving a prognosis of disease progression.