Cell-Based Multi-Parametric Model of Cleft Progression during Submandibular Salivary Gland Branching Morphogenesis
Figure 6
Validation of the single cleft model by comparison of predictions with experimental results for manipulation of ROCK.
SMGs were cultured ex-vivo and treated with Y27632 (ROCK inhibitor) and blebbistatin (inhibitor of actomyosin contractility that lowers the affinity of myosin-actin interaction) for 24 hours. Cleft depths were measured using brightfield time-lapse confocal imaging and compared with cleft depths in GGH simulations of ROCK I knockdown (KD). ROCK I KD simulation consisted of a reduced FPP λ value (1) along with a reduced proliferation rate (0.05%). The simulation mimicking blebbistatin action was achieved using only a reduced FPP λvalue (1). Similar trends were observed in the simulations and the experimental results, indicating that the model effectively simulated the cellular effects of inhibition of signaling molecules.