A coupled SPH-EBG numerical model for deformations of MCF7 cancer cell in a microchannel flow

Properties of a cell can determine its deformations, which can aggravate cancer metastasis. In laboratory, microfluidic technology has been adopted to study cell deformations. However, quantifying the effects of cell deformations has remained difficult. To this end, this paper presents a two-dimensional particle-based model that can capture flow-induced cell deformations in a microchannel. The numerical model is validated with an experimental dataset for MCF7 cell. The simulations show that cell deformations are dominantly attributed to flow acceleration. Stress analyses, conducted by inputting the simulated cell deformations as boundary conditions, show that the maximum normal stresses correspond well to high deformations. Shear stress is in general proportional to the cell's distance from a wall. The simulations also suggest a deformed cell shape that apparently may reduce the average normal stresses. This study highlights the potential of the numerical model to relate the measurable cell deformations to the more elusive cell properties.